Motorists and businesses face several more weeks of traffic misery in Knaresborough due to an ongoing project to install a full-fibre network.

CityFibre, which is installing gigabit-speed wifi services across the Harrogate district, has been carrying out roadworks at Bond End in Knaresborough.

Temporary traffic lights at the site, which have caused major traffic disruption, are set to continue for the rest of the month.

CityFibre also has a permit to work on Boroughbridge Road and High Street in Knaresborough until the end of June.

It is then due to move to the streets around Ash Tree Road, Whincup Avenue and Park Row for another three to four weeks.

Residents reported last week the works were causing slow traffic on Ripley Road and Boroughbridge Road, causing some to even turn back around. Some have questioned why the work is not being conducted overnight.

Businesses are also unhappy about the impact of the roadworks.

Steve Teggin, chair of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said;

“The feeling in Knaresborough is appalling right now, there are roadworks everywhere, from blockades to cable laying.

“If this work was being done in Harrogate, it would have been finished long ago.”

£46m project

CityFibre is spending £46m installing full fibre networks in Knaresborough, Harrogate and Ripon, which it says will meet the needs of businesses and residents “for decades to come”.

Kim Johnston, regional partnership director and city manager for HKR at CityFibre, said:

“Digital connectivity has never been more important in Knaresborough, Harrogate and Ripon, as our data consumption grows, the current network infrastructure will become increasingly unfit for purpose.

“We’d like to thank residents for their support and patience while we continue these works, and offer reassurance that this investment aims to deliver long term benefit for all.

“As an essential digital utility, full fibre boosts households and businesses alike, it will not only unlock access to the fastest and most reliable network technology available, for example, it will provide the essential foundations for smart city technologies that make communities safer.”

You can find out more about the full-fibre installation here.

Temporary traffic lights are in place at the junction of York Road, Chain Lane and Wetherby Road as part of other roadworks.

Social distancing cones for pedestrians have also removed parking spaces in the town centre, causing further problems for motorists.