Additional work on the Dalton Bridge and Highway Flood Alleviation Scheme will begin later this month.

The project, jointly funded by North Yorkshire County Council and Hambleton District Council, aims to deal with some contributory causes of flooding that were not apparent when the original improvement scheme was implemented. 

The work will begin on Monday, September 21, and is due to be completed by Friday, November 27.

The unprecedented flooding which was caused by back to back storms in February this year highlighted the need for further works to ensure the scheme performs as intended.

Following an extensive investigation by the County Council, work will now be carried out to raise part of Dalton Lane, which will involve infilling between the flood embankments close to the A168 and the reconstruction of the road.

To facilitate these works the road will be closed during half term from 6pm on October 23, to 6am on November 2. By this stage in the project the road level will have been raised and it is then anticipated that a further overnight closure will be required for the final surfacing, the date of which is to be confirmed.

Advance warning signs will be in place advising of the works, and there will be clear diversion signage during the road closure period. Unfortunately it will not be possible to maintain pedestrian access through the works area during the closure.

Vehicle access may be restricted to properties and land but contractors will try to assist where possible during the working day.

Operatives working on site will be observing all Government guidelines on safe social distancing.  

Roy Fishwick is the managing director of Cleveland Steel & Tubes Ltd, based on the Dalton Industrial Estate. He said: “The scheme allowed us to maintain access to the estate for almost three weeks during February when otherwise we would have been kept out.

“The additional and unknown drain waters caused unanticipated problems. Most projects seem to have issues in my experience but the fact that we got through them was great and that the works are now being undertaken to take account of them is fantastic.”

North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Highways, said: “The project has already proved vital in ensuring jobs and growth in the area are supported. Following the unprecedented rainfall in February, our highways engineers carried out extensive investigations. Raising the level of a short section of the access road has been identified as the most effective remedy to guard against future flooding events.”

Leader of Hambleton District Council, Councillor Mark Robson, added: “Hambleton District Council have worked closely with the businesses on the Dalton Industrial Estate for many years and can understand the disruption that the unprecedented February storms caused. We are pleased to support this further work to safeguard against future adverse weather events and continue working with our businesses to ensure their economic stability and growth.”

Construction work on the original project was completed in June 2018. It came as a result of the partnership between businesses on the Dalton Industrial Estate, the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (YNYER LEP), Hambleton District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the Environment Agency.

Find details of the closure.