One of England's steepest roads has reopened to traffic following a three-week closure for essential rock face maintenance and drainage improvements.
Motorists can once again travel along one of the steepest routes in England after a three-week maintenance closure concluded on schedule.
The A170 at Sutton Bank, situated between Thirsk and Helmsley on the western edge of the North York Moors National Park, reopened to traffic on Sunday, October 4.
Around 130,000 vehicles navigate the route every year. The extreme one-in-four gradient means the famous stretch of road requires annual upkeep to remain fit for the future.
During the recent closure, workers carried out routine maintenance of the rock face and improved the local drainage system. In the final stages of the project, crews laid a brand-new road surface and replaced the road markings.
The project encountered unexpected challenges when contractors discovered natural springs that serve two houses along the route. Engineers adapted the drainage design and diverted sections of the new system to ensure these vital water supplies remained protected.
The improvements form part of an ongoing programme to maintain one of the most challenging stretches of road in the county. Officials say consolidating the work into a single closure provides an opportunity to complete essential safety and infrastructure upgrades while minimising disruption throughout the rest of the year.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, said:
"It’s great news that this year’s annual maintenance programme at Sutton Bank is complete, and the route was reopened to traffic yesterday. The closure allowed our teams to carry out a range of essential maintenance and improvements on this unique section of our road network safely. We would like to thank residents, businesses and motorists for their patience while the work was undertaken. These improvements will help to ensure Sutton Bank remains safe and resilient for all road users."
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