Burnley to York/Harrogate via Blubberhouses

[mikeS]

Thought we would have a day out in York yesterday (Friday 1st March) travelling over our usual route from Burnley through Skipton and Harrogate to York.
The road at the top of Skipton has signs that state 'No Through Traffic' - you can get as far as the roundabout at Bolton Abbey but from there the road over Blubberhouses is coned off. You have to go via Addingham, Ilkley and Otley to pick up the A65 again the other side of Harrogate.
Going wasn't too bad on a Friday morning, we got to the Park and Ride at 10:00 and left again to travel home at 2:00.
Coming back via the same route there had been a bad road accident at Addingham on the downhill 50mph section. Two air ambulances out plus ambulance fire and police - the road closed from the Addingham village turn off outside Ilkley all the way to the top of Skipton. Access was through Addingham Village which is narrow enough on a good day. Yesterday however with the A65 closure and the accident was pure chaos.
Hopefully the Skipton to Ilkley road is now clear again and the people involved in the accident are going to be OK.

Reading reports about the Blubberhouses route online when we eventually got back - the road has collapsed in places and its going to be a long time before its fixed. The signs say August.

So, If you are coming to the match Sunday and travelling this way - please give yourself plenty of time. Hopefully you won't be caught up in any jams like we experienced yesterday. Take care and stay safe.

[Burnley1989]

I’d be amazed if it’s open for another 6 months, we don’t do quick and this isn’t a quick job either.

You can see their Leica total stations that are set up in fields monitoring the drift and land movement on the bends, they probably need to close it to heavy wagons full stop tbh

I was up at Nissan Sunderland yesterday morning, took me 2:45 to get up there via Ilkley etc

I’ll avoid trips to the North East were possible for now

[dougcollins]

There are better ways than the official diversion, have a look at a map.

Unless you're driving an HGV of course.

[Shaun1983]

Last time I travelled that way, a few weeks ago, I went through grassington.

[northeastclaret]

I have heard it’s the same contractors that’s doing the Kierby Roundabout and culvert so unlikely to be ready until we are back in the Premier League again, I would expect

[Claret Till I Die]

My son regularly travels to Sunderland and he goes via Grassington.

[strayclaret]

Update feb 20th

North Yorkshire Council is unable to say when the A59 at Kex Gill between Harrogate and Skipton will reopen as the closure enters its third full week.
A real pain in the arse.
I am currently laid up following a hip op, due to return for the Brentford match. My mate who works for NYCC says it is unlikely to be open until early April, even later if this wet weather continues. Grassington best way but not when it’s dark. Otley/Ilkley add on another half an hour, sneaky way via West End had a copper turning cars back last weekend. So good luck lads and lasses tomorrow

[Bfc]

I bet the company doing the Burnley town centre roadworks don't get the repair contract.

[beddie]

The issue that needs fixing could have been done in a couple of weeks. NYCC are playing games. They’re not bothered about that actual piece of road as it’s not a priority to them, it allows them more room to work in for their wagons, heavy duty equipment etc to carry on re-routing the new road. Incidentally it’s NYCC that caused it. I travel pass it every week and since the problem in question arose just over a month ago they’ve not touched it. There have been numerous complaints week in week out but they keep coming up with numerous excuses.

[karatekid]

On a similar note, I recently downloaded the LoveCleanStreets app on my phone. Once you’ve registered you can report lots of different issues to your local council including pot holes. There is a facility to report the pot hole via your gps location and include a photo of the hole.
I’ve tried it and it works. Pot hole filled in within 3 days.

[AGENT_CLARET]

I never ever go that way, motorway all the way everytime for me

[strayclaret]

Still closed work not due to start until end of Month, if weather stays dry
Good luck tomorrow

[ChorltonCharlie]

I've pretty much given up going to York from East Lancashire even before the Kex Gill issues. Getting through Harrogate is a real pain.

For anyone going north of York, the A59 closure isn't that big a deal. The obvious detour through Pateley Bridge is almost as quick and very scenic. For anyone who's confident on country roads, you can also go cross country through the Dales up to Wensleydale and off towards the north east. Not ideal on a warm Sunday afternoon, but most of the time those roads are very quiet and if you're in no rush the extra 10 minutes or so on your journey is worth it for the stunning views.

[nonayclaret]

Another spanner in the works on the official alternative route is at Burley in Wharfedale near where all the speed cameras are.
A massive housing expansion at the Ilkley end of Burley "requires" traffic management starting on Monday and it does not say how long for.
This was previously in situ a few weeks ago and the queues were horrendous.
It is stupid of the Highways to allow this on an official diversion that is already very busy.

[beddie]

NYCC are taking the Pi - - they could have fixed the current problem at the bottom end of kex gill in a few weeks. I had another look at it yesterday and it doesn’t look to me that anythings been done since. I’m in the Skipton area and with it being an A- road it’s affecting so much traffic, especially lorry drivers and the people who work in Harrogate and surrounding areas. Funnily enough I’ve written to NYCC again this morning ( as several others have/are doing) requesting answers to various questions. It was pointed out to me that NYCC are getting bombarded with calls, emails etc asking for answers. The bottom line is that the contractors cocked up ripping out trees and rubble right up to the road side hence a short length of that road has become unstable. Had this been in a certain country it would have been sorted in a few days.

[Alanstevensonsgloves]

I live in Ilkley and it's now quite often just as quick to walk from one side of the town to the other than drive.

[pureclaret]

thats where i first been a cooartin' Mary Jane

[D8BFC]

An absolute nightmare this when you have to go up to the North East at least twice a week

Heard it might be shut for another 6 weeks at least

[ClaretLoup]

For anyone going north of York, the A59 closure isn't that big a deal. The obvious detour through Pateley Bridge is almost as quick and very scenic. For anyone who's confident on country roads, you can also go cross country through the Dales up to Wensleydale and off towards the north east. Not ideal on a warm Sunday afternoon, but most of the time those roads are very quiet and if you're in no rush the extra 10 minutes or so on your journey is worth it for the stunning views.

It put an extra 40 minutes on my round trip and the view isn’t so good at night.