[C]umbria Highways will be carrying out major reconstruction works to improve the condition and road safety of Homewood Road and Overend Road in Whitehaven. This is a key route to the West Cumberland Hospital and requires significant repairs.
The works will be carried out using phased road closures in order to complete the works as efficiently as possible. Works are expected to take 8 – 10 weeks to complete, working 12 hour days, 7 days a week. The works are scheduled to take place during school summer holidays, commencing in July.
Cumbria County Council has worked hard to secure the £900,000 of funding required to deliver this project, and the works will take place between the A595 hospital roundabout and the B5295 Cleator Moor Road.
Officers from Cumbria Highways have met with staff from the hospital and Ambulance Service, and will be engaging with other local stakeholders over the coming weeks. This engagement aims to confirm arrangements for access and to ensure that all staff, patients and local residents and businesses are aware of the project and the inevitable short term disruption. Access to the hospital for emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout the works.
Cumbria County Council acknowledges the inconvenience and frustration that these significant road works will cause and are asking the travelling public to add extra time to their journey due to the expected delays and to follow the official signed diversion routes. These works are essential to improve the condition of the road, and the ease of access to and from the hospital. The improved road surface will benefit the local community for years to come.
