Work to improve an accident blackspot on the A595 will begin next year.
The £15 million Grizebeck scheme will see a 1.4km of the main road improved between Chapels and Grizebeck, 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.
Plans were submitted to both Cumbria County Council and the Lake District National Park Authority planning committees, with both now granting permission and giving the go ahead for the scheme.
The county council has also announced that Story Contracting has been appointed to complete the detailed design stage of the two-stage design and build contract with WSP as the design partner.
The council added that 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.
Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It is excellent that planning permission has been granted, as it will improve the highway network along the A595, which is essential for the economic development of south and west Cumbria.
“Besides improving journey times and boosting our economy, Grizebeck improvements will also create a safer road from Barrow to West Cumbria
“This is the next key milestone for delivery of the scheme, and I would like to thank all the residents and businesses for their continued support.”
Alyson Armett, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership board member with responsibility for transport and infrastructure, said: “Cumbria LEP was delighted to support the proposed works to improve the A595 at Grizebeck with £2.244 million of Growth Deal funding. The route is a key component of the county’s transport infrastructure and its upgrade will provide a welcome boost to our efforts to help grow Cumbria’s economy and secure new investment opportunities.
“We will continue to work with regional leaders, local communities, elected officials, MPs and businesses to make major improvements to our transport infrastructure that will help Cumbria to deliver on its growth ambitions.”
