Works are progressing on a £2.5m highways improvement scheme for Whitehaven.
Cumbria County Council is delivering the project to reconfigure the road junction at Bransty Row/North Shore Road in the town’s North Shore area.
The scheme will create an enhanced entrance into Whitehaven as well as easing local congestion, improving traffic flow and enhancing road safety for drivers and pedestrians. The works will also help pave the way for significant new development in the town’s North Shore area.
The next phase of the works are scheduled to start on Monday 16 September 2019 and will involve footway improvements on Tangier Street. One lane will need to be closed to allow these works to be safely carried out.
Work will also start from Monday 16 September on installing a new bus stop on New Road. Traffic lights will be in place while these works are carried out outside peak periods and road users are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
The full programme of improvement works include:
- Introduction of traffic light controls on Bransty Row/North Shore Road junction.
- Improved pedestrian crossing points and links between the harbour, the proposed 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 increase in provision for taxis to reflect forecast increased footfall in the area.
- Enhanced provision for cyclists, people with disabilities and the partially sighted.
The county council has appointed Thomas Armstrong Ltd as the main contractor for the project.
The county council secured £1.66m of funding for the highways upgrade scheme from the government’s National Productivity Investment Fund, together with a £834,000 contribution from profit for purpose property firm, BEC, to support the North Shore regeneration.
Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “The county council has secured significant funding for these improvements, which will create an enhanced gateway for Whitehaven and help unlock substantial new investment in the town. I’m pleased to see works are progressing on this scheme which will improve traffic flow and road safety at a key junction.”
Michael Pemberton, CEO at BEC, added: “Modern road infrastructure is vital to the success of any town, and the improvements Cumbria County Council are spearheading will deliver better traffic flow and improve air quality for Whitehaven. The North Shore development we are bringing to fruition with our partners will be supported by first rate road and parking capacity to further enhance its value to the town.”
