Plans to improve an accident blackspot on a major Cumbrian road have been submitted for approval.
Cumbria County Council has lodged a planning application for the preliminary design of the Grizebeck improvement scheme.
The Grizebeck improvement scheme is a 1.4km single carriageway road between Chapels and Grizebeck on the A595, north of Barrow.
The route runs to the east of the existing A595, passing properties at Dove Bank and Dove Ford before crossing the existing A595 and creating a new junction with the A595/A5092 to the west of the existing junction.
The council says the project will boost Cumbrian economic growth by reducing journey times on the A595, especially when the road is used as a diversion route if the A590 is closed between Dalton and Greenodd and road safety will be benefit by reducing the number and severity of collisions on the A595 and making it more convenient for freight traffic to access existing and proposed major developments.
A decision on the planning application is expected in the summer, with construction starting in 2024.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Improving the highway network on the A595 has been identified as critical to support the economic development in south and West Cumbria.”
“The Grizebeck scheme will improve journey times and boost our economy but will also create a safer road from Barrow to West Cumbria. The county council has already carried out significant work developing this scheme and submission and determination of a planning application is the next key milestone for delivery of the scheme.”
Dr Steve Curl, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership board member with responsibility for transport and infrastructure, said: “Cumbria LEP has been delighted to support the proposed works to improve the A595 at Grizebeck with a £2.244 million Growth Deal funding package.
“The route is a key component in the county’s transport infrastructure and its upgrade will provide a welcome boost to our joint efforts to strengthen Cumbria’s economy, particularly as we look to move beyond ‘survive’ to ‘thrive’ following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will continue to work with regional leaders, local communities, elected officials, MPs and businesses to press for major improvements to our transport infrastructure that will help Cumbria achieve our full potential.”
