Decision details

Side Bank Wood - Deed of Dedication

Decision Maker: Assistant Director - Highways and Transportation, Parking Services, Parks & Grounds

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

North Yorkshire Council intends to enter an agreement with adjacent landowner to the Side Bank Wood Retaining Wall near Downholme, for the dedication of approximately 800m2 area of land for highway purposes pursuant to section 72 of the Highways Act 1980. The land is to be used to construct an embankment and reconstruct the retaining wall at the foot of the embankment.

Reasons for the decision:

Following the collapse of a 10m section of Side Bank Wood Retaining Wall, which supports the A6108, a scheme was developed to reconstruct the wall. Slope instability was identified as the cause of the failure and thus a scheme was developed to construct an embankment to regrade the existing slope at the foot of the wall and relocate the retaining wall to base of the slope to stabilise the structure.

Alternative options considered:

An options appraisal was conducted to determine the best option considering the cause of the failed section of wall, the whole life and carbon costs.

Publication date: 03/03/2026

Date of decision: 03/03/2026