A second major landslip has occurred on Danger Bank, which remains closed as it awaits repairs for the first landslip two years ago.
North Yorkshire Council has reiterated a tender for contracts will be going out soon for the works needed to repair Glen Esk road, known as Danger Bank, between Whitby and Ruswarp.
However, another large section of road, along with safety barriers put up after the 2024 incident have now fallen down the steep ravine.
A temporary road closure notice is in place until May 2027, prompting concerns work has been delayed again, but a council spokesperson confirmed this week there is a commitment to re-opening the stretch of road as soon as possible.
NYC highways area manager, Hannah Benson, said: “The tender process for appointing a contractor to carry out the works on Glen Esk Road, between Whitby and Ruswarp, will begin soon.
“Once appointed, we expect repairs to start later this year and will share more details when we can.”
Danger Bank has served as a shortcut for people travelling in and out of town between Ruswarp, Sneaton and Sleights, especially when there have been other road closures in the town.
Businesses in Ruswarp say roadworks in the village, as well as the closure of Danger Bank, have impacted business.
Luke Ellwood, co-owner of Jacksons Butchers on Ruswarp High Street said: “The closure of Danger Bank has had a big impact, logistically, with the amount of roadworks we have had in Ruswarp and at the top of Ruswarp Lane.
“For this year, I would say only 50 per cent of the time has Ruswarp been free-flowing and not closed or with roadworks.
“A lot of staff live on the east side of Whitby and we rely on passing trade from the school, Wilf Noble and Ruswarp Mart and there is uncertainty as to whether they can get here. It has undoubtedly had an effect.”
Gareth Spark, who works at Wilf Noble Building Supplies, said there is a cumulative effect as customers and deliveries are having to take longer, alternative routes.
He said: “Customers can’t get to us, deliveries can’t get to us. Everybody has to go round.”
Mr Spark believes the construction of the David Wilson estate may have contributed to the landslip by altering the water table. He also walks to work via Danger Bank, which is still accessible by foot, and says there is now more wildlife since the road was closed.
Questions over the repairs and re-opening of Danger Bank come as the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority voted in favour of reducing the allocated transport budget available to North Yorkshire Council by £20m at a meeting last month.
North Yorkshire Council leader, Carl Les said vital maintenance work on the county’s roads will be severely affected.
He said: “The Government announced additional funding to tackle highways maintenance, which we do welcome.
“However, had that money come directly to us like it used to for many years before it came through the mayor’s office, we would be at least £20m better off.
“To be clear, this is a decision made locally that will mean we have less money to maintain our roads. We had asked the mayor to reconsider the plans, and it is extremely disappointing that the proposals have now been voted through.
“There are no guarantees beyond the next financial year, and the allocations could change again to make the situation even worse. The approach actually risks a worsening rating for our highways from the Department for Transport, which could lead to a further reduction in funding.
“There will now have to be some tough choices on where we can undertake maintenance and any hopes that we could be more ambitious will have to be curbed.”
