MOTORISTS who ignored diversion signs at Birk Brow in Guisborough have forced the closure of the road.

The westbound carriageway of the A171 Birk Brow was closed on Monday for resurfacing, due to take about two-and-a-half weeks. A diversion for eastbound traffic was signposted through Boosbeck, Lingdale and Stanghow.

However, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council received reports that some motorists travelling east to Whitby were driving around half barriers and attempting to carry on their journey. Some drivers have also been ignoring a monitoring vehicle at the site.

Due to this the road has now been closed, and diversions for motorists travelling from Whitby will be via Stanghow, Lingdale, Boosbeck and Margrove Park.

Coun Brian Hogg, lead member for environment and infrastructure, said: "We have been extremely concerned that motorists are simply not obeying the road signs. It goes without saying that what they are doing could have very serious consequences. We appreciate the roadworks will cause a degree of inconvenience to motorists, but to ignore a diversion sign is extremely foolhardy to say the least.

"It has left us with no alternative but to close the road. It was getting to the stage where the safety of the monitoring officer was being put at risk, as well as the safety of other motorists."