[F]ollowing a meeting with local residents last night, a way forward for proposed changes to the road layout on Warwick Road has been identified.
At the meeting residents were presented with a revised proposal that would protect the tree lined entrance to the city and provide traffic management improvement to help reduce traffic congestion in this area, particularly during peak times, including junction improvements at Warwick Road / Montgomery Way (Rosehill) and Warwick Road / Eastern Way.
The revised scheme aimed to reflect the issues raised by residents during the recent consultation.
After discussion of the revised scheme residents identified a number of concerns related to the new proposal for the Eastern Way junction improvements. The council has now agreed to consider further revisions to the design ahead of an additional residents’ meeting next week. A site visit with residents on the Eastern Way junction will also take place to listen to their concerns and identify if further changes/improvements could be made to the design.
Commenting on the meeting, Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “It can be very difficult to agree on a scheme that meets the needs of residents and businesses particularly in an area like Warwick Road where you have a growing business estate, located together with residential homes. On top of that we had to consider the impact of any changes in the context of the upheaval that these residents and businesses had during the 2015 floods.
“Whatever was proposed in these circumstances would have generated a strong reaction with strong local views and opinions, and that is why effective consultation is always so important.
“The feedback we had last night raised legitimate issues that we’ve agreed to look at in more detail. I’m really pleased so many local people took the time to attend and share their views. Our aim is to ensure Carlisle’s road network is strengthened so it can cope with the demands of future development in the city. I’m confident that the final plans will achieve this.”
The improvements are intended to support Carlisle City Council’s recently adopted Carlisle District Local Plan (2015-2030) and Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the scheme will be funded through the Government’s new National Productivity Investment Fund. The work will be carried out by Cumbria County Council as the Highways Authority.
Public consultation took place between 12 June and 14 July, including public drop-in events. The consultation generated 104 responses.
