Danger route work to start (From Gazette & Herald)

Danger route work to start

AN EXTENSIVE repair plan to a vital lifeline for North Yorkshire villagers is about to start a year after it was closed.

Work is set to begin on the Ampleforth to Oswaldkirk road on Monday, after it was shut to traffic following dangerous slippage on sections of the route.

Major geographical faults were found to be the root cause of the damage to the road, which demanded extensive surveys and consultation on finance and design. A plan costing £100,000 has been approved. "The delay has been caused because we've been trying to find a solution that we can afford and that is going to last for a long period of time," said Peter Renshaw, divisional engineer for North Yorkshire County Council.

"One of the problems has been that its not just this section of the road that's affected. There are signs that slippage is moving towards Oswaldkirk and this is just the start of the problem."

Coun Jim Bailey said: "The road closure has caused serious problems for Ampleforth College, which is one of the biggest employers in Ryedale, it is not so bad for other residents because the road is still useable, but obviously for the college they are prevented legally from using a closed road because if there was an accident they would be liable."

A spokesman for Ampleforth College said: "The importance of the road to the abbey and college cannot be underestimated and we remain concerned at the impact and inconvenience the prolonged closure will have not only upon the school, but the pastoral and hospitality outreach the community provides.

"You will appreciate the effects the closure is having for our parents, particularly for those whose children attend the schools, both here and at St Martin's Ampleforth in Gilling, as day students.

"The closure of the road also has an impact for us in relation to recruitment. Every day we receive visits from prospective parents and accessibility is a criteria a number of parents consider when choosing a school.

Updated: 10:46 Friday, November 21, 2003