A65 SETTLE AND GIGGLESWICK BYPASS

This article describes the new section of the A65 bypassing Settle and Giggleswick in West Yorkshire, England. The road, whose route was approved in 1986, passes through an area of great natural beauty, so that much has been done to adapt its design to the landscape and environment of the area. It is a single carriageway 7.3 m wide, with 1 m hard strips, and an additional climbing lane along its steepest part. Its northern section passes through undulating countryside, alternating between cutting and embankment. Its southern section crosses the flood plain of the River Ribble, and is constructed entirely on an embankment of crushed rock. It includes a 3-span bridge across the river, which is founded on steel piles driven through the overlying alluvial deposits into bed rock. The bridge deck is constructed from steel universal beams with a reinforced concrete slab, and is supported on reinforced concrete bankseats and piers. The bypass was completed in two years and opened to traffic on 2 December 1988. It is anticipated that about half the traffic previously flowing through the centre of Settle will use the bypass, and up to 75% during peak holiday periods.