The main road through Gargrave is to get a new surface

Road engineers say they will do all they can to prevent jams while a key route through the Yorkshire Dales is resurfaced.

Around �1m is being spent on the work on the A65 through Gargrave and Hellifield.

The work, which starts on Wednesday 7 May, will involve road closures and alternate one-way working.

The A65 connects West Yorkshire with Cumbria and is used by over 10,000 vehicles a day.

Traffic load

A series of meetings and exhibitions have been held with local residents and business to inform them of the disruption.

The government's Highways Agency says the stretch of road needs to be replaced to meet the demands of its heavy traffic load.

Jon Robinson, from the Highways Agency, said: "At some locations the road is too narrow to safely allow the road to be kept open while the work is carried out."

Through traffic will be diverted between Long Preston and Skipton through Gisburn by way of the A682 and the A59.

But access to Hellifield and Gargrave will be maintained for local traffic.

The work is due to be completed on 14 July and will be suspended during the bank holiday on 26 May.