Road works near Beckwithshaw creating a 'dangerous side effect' claims motorist who paid out hundreds in repairs

A reader whose Land Rover was damaged is complaining that work meant to improve roads near a Harrogate village has instead created new potential dangers for motorists.

The Harrogate Advertiser reader, whose Green Land Rover Defender had to be repaired at a cost of hundreds of pounds after an incident at Beckwithshaw, said they had contacted the Highways Departed at North Yorkshire Council several times to report the problem and highlight their fears of potential future accidents.

"I have called North Yorkshire Council several times to report that highways works undertaken earlier this year to reduce water run off from the Shaw Lane/High Moor Road cross road at Beckwithshaw, has led to problems,” said the reader who wishes to remain anonymous.

"The road was closed for three weeks at, presumably, great expense but doesn’t seem to have solved the water problem and has now created a dangerous road situation.

"Since the work started, multiple drivers have damaged two wheels each time, with blow outs and large gaping holes ensuing when they have hit newly-created kerbs.

"This is causing the need for drivers to have their vehicle collected on loaders or trailer, and new tyres and alloy rim repairs.

"Our Green Defender had a tyre came off the rim which cost £400 for a call out alone.

Despite the road improvement project's good intentions, said the reader, the new arrangements did not seem to take into account the nature of driving on rural roads, so far.

"On narrow rural roads, motorists often must make use of the whole carriageway width, and, in many instances, when a large vehicle such as a tractor is passing, must traverse onto the soft verge to prevent collision,” the reader said.

"The new protruding concrete culvert structures pose a significant and serious collision risk, particularly when they are not always visible to oncoming motorists.

"When this occurs, in every case, the motorist suffers a two wheel ‘blow-out’ and significant side wall tyre and wheel damage that renders the vehicle underivable and stranded on the carriageway.

"At its worst, a ripped tyre or a wheel that breaks away on a lifted kerb leaves the driver with no control and frankly a serious risk of overturning upon impact from these unsafe protruding structures.

"I want to prevent the situation happening to other drivers and I am concerned that a serious accident could happen."

In response, North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for environment, Karl Battersby, told the Harrogate Advertiser, that the local authority was monitoring the situation.

“A programme of improvements is being planned for a section of High Moor Road, North Rigton, near Beckwithshaw, after extra funding for the scheme was secured,” said Mr Battersby.

"The work will see around 2,039 square metres of road resurfaced between Nor Beck Bridge and Rigton Hill.

“As part of the preparations, drainage issues were identified and have been looked at to ensure the resurfacing delivers long-term benefits for road users.

"Most of this work has now been completed with the remaining repairs due to be finished before resurfacing takes place.

“Temporary traffic signals are in place to keep traffic moving safely through the area while the final stages of the drainage work are completed.

“We will continue to monitor the site and investigate any safety concerns raised by drivers.”