Major roadworks set to last 10 weeks have begun on a route just outside the outer ring road.
Improvement works are taking place on the A19 Shipton Road through Skelton as part of a new housing development being built on the former Del Monte site.
The road is due to remain open while most of the work is carried out but the speed limit will be temporarily reduced to 30mph in the area and some temporary traffic lights and lane closures will be put in place.
As part of the scheme, the speed limit will be lowered from 50mph to 40mph, grass-covered central reservations will be installed and new pedestrian crossings introduced.
Resurfacing work is also due to take place.
The roadworks – schedule
Week 2-week 8: The A19 will operate with narrow lanes during the main construction works, in a bid to maintain a continual flow of traffic. Fairfields Drive will remain open but traffic signals may be used to control traffic for specific works at the junction.
Week 9 and 10: Traffic flows along the A19 will be maintained using single lane working controlled by temporary traffic signals, and Fairfields Drive will be closed during this work.
The work during the first eight weeks will be done between 9am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, while the final two weeks of work will be through the night, from 8pm to 6am.
An aerial view of the former Del Monte Factory site where the homes would be built. Photograph © Google Street View
77 homes
Skelton Parish Council expressed fears about the development making traffic problems worse and raised concerns about an increase in the number of homes planned for the site – from 60 in the initial plans to 77.
The Del Monte factory was demolished in 2014. Under the plans 15 homes would be affordable and there would also be an area of public open space with children’s play equipment.
As part of the roadworks two pedestrian crossings will be built and existing bus stops will be relocated. Bus services will continue while the roadworks take place.