Work is scheduled to start in May on the next phase of a £4.5m maintenance works programme on Jubilee Bridge in Barrow.
Cumbria County Council is carrying out the essential maintenance works which will extend the life of the bridge by many years.
Story Contracting Ltd has been appointed as contractor to carry out these works, which will involve steelwork and concrete repairs and repainting the Walney end of Jubilee Bridge from May to December 2019, subject to weather.
The county council will also be investing a further £1.5m in delivering junction improvements on North Road, Bridge Road and Michaelson Road in Barrow.
North Road/Bridge Road – On the junction of North Road/Bridge Road we will be replacing the existing roundabout with a new traffic light-controlled junction. This junction improvement will support growth at BAE Systems and the Port in the future. Significant improvements to pedestrian crossing facilities are a major element of this scheme.
Michaelson Road/Buccleuch Dock Road – On the junction of Michaelson Road and Buccleuch Dock Road, a new signalised traffic light-controlled junction will provide safe access to and from BAE System’s Buccleuch Dock Road car park and improved pedestrian crossing provision.
Residents and interested parties can find out more about all these highway works at the following drop-in events with Cumbria County Council. Drop-in sessions will take place on:
- Monday 29 April 2019, 2pm – 7pm – The Ferry Hotel, 1 Promenade, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3PE
- Thursday 2 May 2019, 11am – 7pm – Tesco Extra, Cornerhouse Park, Hindpool Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2NE
Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “The county council is investing millions of pounds in these highway schemes which will make a real difference to Barrow’s road network. The council recognises the strategic importance of Jubilee Bridge and we are committed to securing the future of the bridge and ensure it is fit for purpose. Jubilee Bridge needs this essential maintenance – if the work isn’t done, there would eventually be a significant impact on the use of the bridge. We believe the road junction improvements will support growth at BAE Systems and the Port and play a significant role in helping the town to prosper.”
The county council appreciates that these works will cause some traffic disruption, which will be unavoidable. The works have been planned to minimise disruption as far as possible. For example, two-way traffic will be maintained during the day and some of the works will be carried out overnight wherever possible. During overnight works, temporary traffic lights and occasional road closures will be required.
One footpath across Jubilee Bridge will be closed at all times during the works. Cyclists will be able to cycle on the road as normal. For safety reasons, cyclists will be asked not to cycle on the footpath. Safe pedestrian routes will be provided during the works.
A graphic showing the highways improvements is available here.
Jubilee Bridge measures 350m in length, making it Cumbria’s longest bridge. It carries up to 24,000 vehicles a day and provides the only mainland crossing to Walney Island. If this work isn’t carried out, use of the bridge would eventually be significantly affected.
