The new North Northallerton link road and bridge has finally opened this morning.
The route links two entry points into the town – from Stokesley and Darlington – and provides a much-needed alternative route to avoid the Low Gates level crossing.
The road supports the construction of Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes housing developments and, when completed, a school, retail space, business sites, sport and recreational areas.
The idea for the link road and bridge first emerged in the Local Plan developed by Hambleton District Council as part of the North Northallerton Development Area. It has been delivered in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, and financed by the housing developers – and with a £6m grant from the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Leader of the district council, Councillor Mark Robson said: “We are delighted to see this road and bridge finally open to traffic – it has been a long time in the making but we believe it is going deliver big economic and community benefits for Northallerton. It will relieve traffic pressure on the north side of the town and give easier access to businesses on the Darlington Road.”
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, added: “Today’s opening of the link road and bridge represents a huge step forward for Northallerton in terms of improving travel around town and reducing congestion.
“We have worked very closely with our partners, including Hambleton District Council, the LEP and the developers, to overcome a number of tricky hurdles in order to deliver this key piece of infrastructure. It is fantastic to see the bridge finally open to our residents.
“The new route is just one part of our efforts to help address traffic problems in and around Northallerton, and we are committed to bringing forward further improvements in the future.”
North Moor House opened on the new development site last year – housing mental health services for children and young people, adults and older adults. It is home to mental health and learning disability services from the Friarage Hospital, Brompton House and Gibraltar House.
Dr Liz Herring, General Manager for the North Yorkshire and York Adult Mental Health Service at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The opening of the link road is an important development for North Moor House, making the centre so much more accessible for patients, carers and staff.
“It is an amazing facility for residents of Hambleton and Richmondshire and it is great news that the link road and other transport support will now become available.”
Dehenna Davison MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Levelling Up) added:
“I am pleased to see that the new link road and bridge in Northallerton is now open. As a Government, we are proud to have supported this project with £6m from the Local Growth Fund, awarded to York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. By improving access to local businesses, new homes and the town, the new road and bridge supports the Government’s commitment to Levelling Up, driving forward economic growth and improving the lives of people across the country.”
David Dickson, Chair of the LEP Place and Structure Board, commented: “The York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership welcomes the opening of the new Northallerton northern link road and railway bridge, providing an alternative route for traffic and to support the future growth of the town. Hambleton District Council has worked hard with the developers to deliver one of the most significant projects in our LEP area supported by a £6m investment from the government’s Local Growth deal.”
Jackie Coulthard, Managing Director for Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire, added: “We are pleased that the link road and bridge have now opened for use by the local community. We would like to thank residents for their patience and we hope that they can now enjoy the benefits this key infrastructure project is intended to bring.”
Sean Taylor, Managing Director for Persimmon Homes Teesside, said: “It’s exciting to see the new bridge open to users. This will bring significant economic and social benefits, not just for local residents but for Northallerton and the wider area.
“While the covid pandemic and nature of the project undoubtedly brought some significant challenges, working with our partners Taylor Wimpey, North Yorkshire County Council and the LEP, we’re delighted to see the bridge open.”
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