ANNUAL maintenance work to prolong the life of roads in South Craven and across North Yorkshire is getting under way.

The county council says the programme will run throughout the summer, following Covid-safe precautions.

Each year the authority spends more than £10 million improving sections of the county’s 5,800-mile road network, through surface dressing.

Work is beginning in the Ryedale and Harrogate district and will continue through other areas – including Craven – during the summer, with completion scheduled for August.

Signage will be put in place at each location before work starts.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access, said: “Despite a significant reduction this year in central Government funding for highway maintenance, we have protected our surface dressing programme because it is vital in ensuring we maintain the condition of our network.

“Last year, with the country under a national lockdown, we pressed ahead with the surface dressing programme – aware of how important it was to maintain the standards of our roads to support key workers and services.

“This year, with the county and country opening-up again, this work is equally important as part of our support for businesses beginning their recovery from the impact of the pandemic.”