The 4.8km long, two-lane highway will bypass the villages of Leeming Bar and Aiskew and the town of Bedale and cross the A1.

Put on hold two years ago after the Government’s spending review, the scheme was revived after the Department for Transport offered to contribute £35.9m towards the estimated cost of £42.4m.

Construction of the bypass is expected to commence in spring to autumn 2014 dependent upon completion of statutory orders with an estimated construction period of 2 years.

The scheme includes the design and construction of two new road bridges over the Wensleydale Railway and three new roundabouts

Interested firms have until 10 June to complete prequalification documents available on the YORtender website.