Work is due to start on Monday 23 November to widen the one-way section of Sewell Lane in Carlisle to allow traffic to flow in both directions from next Spring.
Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council have secured funding from Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and Homes England to widen the 110-metre section of road.
The County Council has appointed DSD Construction Ltd to undertake the works which are due to commence on Monday 23 November under a road closure; it is anticipated construction will be completed in March 2021.
The improvement to Sewell Lane was identified as a requirement in the Carlisle District Local Plan 2015-2030. The upgraded access route will improve road safety in the area and support the early development of St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.
The Carlisle City Council scheme aims to deliver 10,000 new homes and employment opportunities within Carlisle, bringing significant benefits to the city and the wider county.
Residents and local businesses will be kept informed of project progress through regular communications via letter.
Commenting on the project, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Cllr Keith Little, said: “I am pleased that works are now able to begin to widen Sewell Lane. This will be a key component of the early stages to deliver the St Cuthbert’s Garden Village project, and enhances road safety. I’d like to thank the CLEP for their financial support to this scheme and also the local community for their patience whilst the works are carried out.”
Carlisle City Cllr Paul Nedved, portfolio holder for Economy, Enterprise and Housing said: “We are grateful to Cumbria LEP for helping to fund this important road widening scheme at Sewell Lane. This work is essential to bring forward early phases of St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, which will provide much needed, high quality new homes for the long term growth of Carlisle. The work will also improve traffic flow in this part of the city, to the benefit of existing residents of Parklands, Cumwhinton Road and London Road.”
Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership Chief Executive, Jo Lappin, said: “CLEP is pleased to support this investment, which will help unlock land in the Carleton area for new housing development and support the early stages of the St Cuthbert’s Garden Village. The development of new homes in Carlisle is essential in attracting new residents to Cumbria and, importantly, providing high quality housing for our own residents. This very much fits with CLEP’s ambition to make Cumbria the place to live, work and invest.”
