WORK on the final phase of the reconstruction of Selby bypass is due to start on August 9.

This will complete a three-phase scheme by North Yorkshire County Council carried out over the past three years to ensure the town has the bypass it needs to support its economic future.

It is expected to complete on October 13 but night working may help this finish sooner.

There will be road closures in force from the A19 Brayton roundabout to the Thorpe Willoughby roundabout work with local and separate HGV diversions.

Other sections to be resurfaced in this final phase of the bypass reconstruction are:

• Greencore roundabout and a stretch of the A63 towards Osgodby roundabout. A road closure is required and a short local diversion will be in place. The work will be completed during the school holidays because there is a primary school on the diversion route

• East Common Lane, which will be done under a road closure with a local diversion via Abbots Road

• A63 from the Thorpe Willoughby roundabout going towards Hambleton over the railway bridge, which will be done under two-way temporary traffic signals.

Details of the diversion routes will be available at www.roadworks.org. Every effort will be made to discourage traffic from using unsuitable routes.

Once work is under way, regular updates will be carried on the County Council’s website, www.northyorks.gov.uk/selbybypass.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Highways, said: “This is the final stage of a project that local people campaigned for over several years. It will ensure Selby has a bypass fit for purpose to support the town’s economic growth.

“Members of the public were very patient during the first two phases, for which we are very grateful. We thank local people in advance for their continued patience during this final phase.

“We have committed ourselves to carrying out the work this year rather than wait another year and risk further deterioration of the road. The August start date is intended to ensure the work can be completed before the onset of significant winter weather.

“We will do all we can to keep disruption to a minimum. Signage will make it clear that Selby is open for business as usual and the diversion routes will direct heavy traffic away from the town centre. If people can adjust their journeys to avoid peak times or consider alternative transport, especially for local journeys, we would encourage them to do so.”

Phase one of the scheme covered the A1041 Bawtry Road to the A19 at Barlby, and the second covered the A63 between and including the A19 Brayton roundabout and A1041 Wishing Well roundabout and their approaches.