Long-awaited safety improvement scheme to begin in Hawes

A major road improvement scheme is due to begin in one of the Dales most popular tourist destinations, financed by the Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund.

The work, which involves a full resurfacing of the A684 through Hawes, is essential in extending the life of the road and improving its safety.

Following a meeting with residents and businesses in March, North Yorkshire County Council decided to postpone the scheme until later in the year to avoid the peak tourist season.

The resurfacing will run from the western end of the market place to the 30mph signs at the eastern edge. It is due to begin on Monday, September 26, initially in the Market Place with a phased programme for five and a half weeks.

Executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “The A684 through Hawes is in a poor condition, so this extensive resurfacing will have considerable safety improvements and make it fit for future traffic demands.  The Safer Roads Funding has already been used to install a new £418,000 flood detection system at flooding hotspots on the A684 – the first of its kind in North Yorkshire.  It has also financed safety improvements at the crossroad junction to the west of Patrick Brompton, changes to the layout and resurfacing work in Leyburn, and new lay-bys at various points along the A684.”

Councillor Yvonne Peacock, who represents the Upper Dales division, said: “We are pleased to be in a position to carry out the work on this well-used route. Notification letters have been sent to local residents and businesses and we have liaised with the auction mart and community office. Thankfully, the work will take place outside of the peak tourist season. However, we apologise for the inconvenience it will inevitably cause.”

The Safer Roads Fund seeks to address issues on the 50 A-roads identified as being the most dangerous in the country. 

We are awarded £7.06m to fund a series of safety improvement projects on the A684, one of the major routes east to west through the Yorkshire Dales, from Leeming Bar to Junction 37 of the M6. It was one of four successful bids to the Safer Roads Fund.

A road closure will be in place in Hawes Market Place, The Holme and Penn Lane from Mondays at 8am until Fridays at 4.30pm during the first four weeks. Burtersett Road will be closed on weekdays between 8am and 5.30pm. The A684 will be fully open to traffic on the weekends.

During the works, a signed diversion route will be in place and pedestrian access will be maintained. On-site personnel will manage access to properties and businesses within the closure. However, there may be times when access is not possible.

See updates and details of the diversion.

Read more details about the Safer Roads Fund.