A170 Sutton Bank: One of Yorkshire's best-known roads to be closed for three weeks for biggest repairs programme in its history

The scenic and notoriously steep route through the North York Moors between Helmsley and Thirsk will be shut in both directions from 7am on September 11 until October 2 at 7pm.

Work includes surveying of the entire slope, stabilisation of the southbound hairpin bend to prevent landslips and maintenance of the rock face.

The annual maintenance of Sutton Bank usually takes only a week.

North Yorkshire County Council member for highways and transportation Coun Keane Duncan said: “These major works on Sutton Bank will ensure that it remains structurally sound and hopefully reduce the need for longer closures in future.

“Our annual maintenance scheme usually takes a week, so we appreciate the added disruption that the extended timescale will cause. We ask the public for their understanding and co-operation while the work is ongoing.”

Diversion route

For the second consecutive year, the diversion will not follow the caravan route and instead will be:-

- A19 south from Thirsk to York Ring Road

- East along York Ring Road to junction with A64

- North on A64, joining A169 to Pickering, and back onto the A170

- Access to homes on Sutton Bank will be maintained whenever possible. However, due to the nature of the works there may be times when access is restricted.