Raft of benefits planned during Sutton Bank maintenance...

The annual maintenance of a key east-west route renowned for its steep climb is to encompass new elements which this year will benefit a popular visitor centre.

The week-long scheme on Sutton Bank, on the A170 between Helmsley and Thirsk, will begin this Sunday, to ensure that it remains structurally sound.

North Yorkshire Council’s highways team will inspect the face of the slope to prevent any rocks from falling, the boreholes to check for landslips, and clear overhanging vegetation.

They will repair the restraint barriers on one of the hairpin bends following a recent collision, and trenches across the road will be dug to wire the electrics for three new vehicle activated signs.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “The A170 is a key route for residents, commuters and visitors so we do everything we can to minimize the time it is closed.

“The Sutton Bank annual maintenance scheme is so important in allowing us to condense essential works into a single closure.

“It is critical to avoiding any unforeseen, disruptive closures of the A170 through the year.

“This year we will be carrying out the usual maintenance works such as jetting the drains, emptying gullies, improving lining, and replacing granite setts and cats eyes, as well as grass cutting, strimming vegetation, and replenishing the grit bins.

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