WORK to repair the damage to a crash barrier and the retaining wall at Kex Gill badly damaged by an accident at the end of September is due to start on Monday 20 November and will take around six weeks.

The work will mean temporary traffic signals which have been in place since the crash barrier and retaining wall were badly damaged in an accident involving a heavy goods vehicle will have to stay in place until it is completed.

Highways chiefs have stressed that although the accident happened well over a month ago, a lot of preparation work and planning has had to be carried out before it could star.

The work is scheduled to be finished by the end of December.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive member for Highways, said: “It is our priority to get this repair done as soon as possible and before the worst of the winter weather. It is not just a case of repairing the visible damage to the crash barrier but is more significant and involves structural damage to the retaining wall.

“A lot of work has been going on in the background to achieve a robust and full repair to current safety standards.

"Other difficulties we have faced is that we do not own the land, it is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

"We have been consulting with several parties including internal experts, vehicle restraint specialists and partner contractors and every effort is being made to carry out a full repair as quickly as possible.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience or frustration the essential temporary signals may have caused and ask for patience until the permanent repair can be completed." 

Nigel Smith of the council’s highways team said: “Whilst it is appreciated this accident was at the end of September, we have been working in the background to establish the necessary consents and permissions, as well as trying to determine the appropriate design solution which includes rebuilding the retaining wall.”