[A] consultation will start next week on a £2.5million highways improvement scheme for Whitehaven designed to help pave the way for significant new development in the town’s North Shore area.
Cumbria County Council is proposing to reconfigure the road junction at Bransty Row/North Shore Road to ease congestion, improve traffic flow and enhance road safety for drivers and pedestrians. The project will not only assist future development in the North Shore area but also create an enhanced entrance into Whitehaven.
£1.66m of funding for the highways improvement scheme has been secured from the government’s National Productivity Investment Fund, together with a £834,000 contribution from Britain’s Energy Coast (BEC).
BEC will be bringing forward an exciting multi-million pound regeneration scheme for the North Shore, including plans for managed work space, a 100-plus bed hotel and a multi-storey car park.
On Monday 9 April, Cumbria County Council is launching a four-week consultation on the highway improvement scheme, which includes:
- Introduction of traffic light controls on Bransty Row/North Shore Road junction.
- Improved pedestrian crossing points and links between the harbour, the new developments and the town centre’s historic core.
- Enhancement of the road junction at Tangier Street/George Street to improve traffic flow and facilitate development.
- Relocation and tripling of provision for taxis to reflect forecast increased footfall in the area.
- Reduction of the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph on section of Bransty Row
- Public realm improvements to enhance the gateway into Whitehaven.
People are being invited to have their say and discuss the scheme with Cumbria County Council. Drop-in sessions will take place on:
- Tuesday 10 April, 2pm-6pm – Wetherspoons Bransty Arch, 5 Bransty Row, Whitehaven, CA28 7XE
- Monday 23 April, 3pm-7pm – Tesco Superstore, Bransty Row, Whitehaven, CA28 7XY
Full details of the plan and feedback forms will also be available at Whitehaven Library throughout the 4-week consultation period.
More information about the plans can also be found on the county council’s website at cumbria.gov.uk/bransty
Councillor Keith Hitchen, Chair of Cumbria County Council’s Copeland Local Committee, said: “Upgrading this key junction will unlock substantial new investment in the town through BEC’s exciting regeneration plans. Various options have been considered and we are consulting on proposals designed to improve traffic flow and road safety. We want as many people as possible to look at the road improvement plans and take part in the consultation. It’s important people to tell us what they think of the scheme, so their comments and feedback can be taken into account when details of the scheme are finalised.”
Michael Pemberton, CEO, BEC, said: “Cumbria County Council’s consultation is an important step in the transformation of the North Shore area, allowing people who live, work and play in the town to share their views and learn more about proposals to make the area safer for cars and pedestrians. We support the county council in their aspirations to improve the roadworks in this important area for Whitehaven and look forward to seeing the consultation results.”
The consultation will close on Friday 4 May. Any comments should be emailed to: npif@cumbria.gov.uk.
