Council To Utilise LEP Funding For A1079 Roundabout Improvements

Proposals for much-needed improvement works at Killingwoldgraves and Dunswell roundabouts on the A1079, near Beverley, have been agreed in principal, subject to detailed business cases being approved.

The schemes were discussed at a York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board Meeting on Friday, 22 January.

It has been agreed that East Riding of Yorkshire Council can utilise £6.3m of LEP funding, which was originally allocated for a new, one-mile section of dual carriageway on the A1079, to deliver capacity improvements at Killingwoldgraves and Dunswell roundabouts on the A1079 corridor. These junctions are well known bottlenecks with regular queues and congestion, particularly at peak times, and improvements will be required to support both background traffic growth and future development.

Carriageway widening and other highway works will now take place at Killingwoldgraves roundabout at the junction of the A1079, A1174, A1035 and Killingwoldgraves Lane to the west of Beverley, and at Dunswell roundabout linking the A1079, A1174 and the A1033 north of Hull. Works are likely to start on site in 2017/18.

Councillor Andy Burton, cabinet portfolio holder for planning, highways and transportation, said: “We are delighted that the LEP has agreed to provide funding to allow us to deliver two much-needed schemes at Killingwoldgraves and Dunswell roundabouts. These schemes will make a real difference to drivers on the A1079 by reducing queues and congestion at these busy junctions.”

Of the announcement, Graham Stuart MP for Beverley and Holderness, said: “I am very pleased that the council has successfully bid for this funding and can now progress the schemes at Killingwoldgraves and Dunswell roundabouts. When complete, these works will help reduce congestion for motorists and the travelling public and improve journey times. This is good news for my constituents.”

The council secured funding from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP in January 2015 towards a scheme to dual a one-mile stretch of the A1079 between Barmby Moor and Wilberfoss. However, following site surveys and detailed investigations, it has been established that the dualling scheme will cost significantly more than originally anticipated.

The A1079 dualling scheme remains a top priority and the council remains committed to delivering the scheme and the associated benefits that it will offer in terms of improving journey times and reliability along this key road link.

Council officers will now continue to develop the dualling scheme to ensure a final design has been developed that can be funded through a potential future devolution deal.

Sir Greg Knight MP said: “The A1079 dualling scheme remains a priority for me as the local Member of Parliament for East Yorkshire and for the council.

“It is disappointing that the scheme cannot be progressed at this stage, but I will continue to work closely with the council to champion this important transport investment, with the aim of bringing it forward in the future once the final design has been further developed.”

Grahame Hicks, chair of Action Access A1079 (AAA1079), said: “It is hugely disappointing that the costs of dualling have exceeded the amount of money available to carry out the work.

“It is vital that the A1079, the strategic route between the Humber and York/North Yorkshire, receives the investment necessary to bring it up to an acceptable standard that will invigorate the region’s economy. However, AAA1079 champions all road improvements on the corridor and is therefore pleased that the LEP money has not been lost but will be used constructively to make improvements at two of the busiest roundabouts.”