Villagers will have been aware this week of North Yorkshire Council roadworks taking place along Hungate, which has involved digging down to investigate the culvert under the footpath, via three access points, to allow for jetting and camera surveying to take place. The road remained open and thankfully, no traffic control seems to have been required.

From a conversation with one of the workmen this week, who was working on the access point just along St. John's Road near to its junction with Hungate, it is this website's understanding that the work is proving far from straightforward. The lorry with a drain jetter that arrived on site on Tuesday was unsuccessful in clearing out the culvert between the two manholes at the St. John's/Hungate junction. (The third access point was further back along Hungate towards Knaresborough Road.) One of the workmen was even trying to clear some of the sludge in the culvert manually, but was making no impression whatsoever on the obstruction.

More intensive machinery, with a higher drain blasting capability, has been requested. It would appear, however, from what was said on site, that there is no clear indication at the moment how badly the drain is blocked or how extensive that blockage may be.

One of the main issues exacerbating the problem would seem to be the immense amount of sludge and debris that is built up at the side of the road, which, during heavy rain, gets washed into the road drains, leading to a blockage in the culvert.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire Water will have another go at connecting the water supply to the new houses at the Lamb and Flag development starting on Monday 3rd February. This fourth attempt to complete the work will involve another road closure of Boroughbridge Road by the former pub for three days.

Several residents have questioned the wisdom of a road closure which then means that the only quick way to get to and from the Roecliffe road is via the ford which will remain accessible during the period of the roadworks. 'Bishop Monkton Today' asked Yorkshire Water to respond to this concern and they told us that the official diversionary route does not take in the ford. Instead it involves a much longer route out of the village either via Staveley or Ripon.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: “A section of Boroughbridge Road (HG3 3QN) between Main Street and St John’s Road at Bishop Monkton, will be in place from 3rd February 2025 as we carry out planned work. A temporary two-way signed diversion will be in place via Boroughbridge Road (A61), Hungate (B6265) and Knaresborough Road (A168) so that the work can be carried out safely.

“We apologise for the inconvenience the partial closure of Boroughbridge Road, Bishop Monkton will cause. Yorkshire Water and its service partners, Network Plus, will be working as quickly as possible to complete the work and will do everything we can to minimis impact on residents and businesses in the area. Pedestrian access will be available throughout.”