A public consultation on proposals for a scheme costing up to £40m to reroute the A59 at Kex Gill will start next month.

The A59 between Skipton and Harrogate has been dogged by closures caused by instability and movement of the land above the road tat Kex Gill.

There have been numerous landslips over the years, the most recent in January 2016 leading to the closure of the road for eight weeks.

In the past, North Yorkshire County Council has undertaken work to strengthen the banks and improve drainage and the authority monitors movement on the slope, but there remains a high risk of further landslips that could lead to long-term closures, it says.

Drivers face a diversion of more than six miles through towns unsuitable for the volume of traffic and nature of vehicles when a landslip occurs.

Realigning the A59 at Kex Gill to the other side of the valley is part of the County Council’s strategic transport plan to improve easy to west connections between the east coast and Humber ports and Lancashire.

An inital 16 possible routes have now been whittled down to four, the county says.

12 were discounted because of engineering or environmental constraints, continued risks of landslip, and cost.

"The remaining four have been identified as the most achievable," a NYCC spokesman said.

The cost of construction is estimated at between £33m and £40m and the County Council is preparing a funding bid to the Department for Transport.

At their meeting today, Executive Members for Business and Environmental Services approved a public consultation on these routes.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Highways, said: “The A59 provides a vital link between the east and west of the region through North Yorkshire. Its reliability is crucial for the economic growth of our county as well as the convenience and safety of commuters, visitors and residents.

“The consultation will help us to determine the route that most improves the resilience of the A59, along with improved safety and increased reliability of journey times for road users while maintaining the landscape, ecological and historical value of the surrounding area.

“The consultation will be wide-ranging with public events to allow people to view the proposals as well as opportunities to give their responses online and on paper. Details will be announced shortly and we would urge everyone with an interest in the route to take part.”