Council chiefs say an 11-week closure of the A684 in Wensleydale for drainage and highways repairs is unavoidable. 

The road will be closed 24-hours a day between Leyburn Road in Constable Burton and the Wild Hill Lane and Chapel Lane junction near Finghall.

The work is due to start on November 24, although the repairs will be halted from Friday, December 19 to Monday, January 5.

A North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said: “Advance warning signage advising of the works will be installed on site shortly. “While the works are in progress, a fully signed diversion will be in place.  On-site personnel will assist in managing access to properties and businesses within the closure.”

Leyburn councillor Karin Sedgwick said a full road closure was needed due to the width of the A684 on this stretch.  She added: “The roads does need these vital repairs.  Yes it’s being closed for 11 weeks but it wouldn’t be closed for this time if it wasn’t necessary.  We’re saying 11 weeks but hopefully it will be less.”

But Leyburn business owner Richard Warne, who runs Inspired Chocolate, criticised the timing of the closure. “The run up to Christmas is our most important trading period of the year and they choose to do it then.  I know they desperately need to do something with that road, which is so dangerous, frankly, but why couldn’t they start in January?”

The council said on-site personnel would only manage access during the daytime and there may be extended periods when access would not be possible due to the nature of the work taking place.

There will also be no pedestrian access.

The official diversion takes drivers heading west off the A684 at Patrick Brompton, north on Brompton Road and then connects with Hauxwell Lane, near Scotton.