The Minister for Transport has visited Cumbria.
Guy Opperman was welcomed to Barrow by MP Simon Fell, leaders from Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems to discuss transport needs in Furness, and the Team Barrow project.
Council officers and the team at BAE took Mr Opperman through the progress on Team Barrow – the working group, led by the Cabinet Secretary to improve Furness in order to deliver the submarine programme – and outlined which improvements they would like to see to support that endeavour.
After the visit, Mr Fell said: “It was fantastic to host Mr Opperman in Barrow this to join a meeting to discuss the transport issues in the area, and how we can best work with his department to deliver tangible improvements to the A590, A595, the Furness and Energy Coast Lines, and also our local transport networks too.
“The Minister saw for himself the burning need to get spades in the ground and move these projects along, and also why they are crucially important to supporting both new nuclear at Sellafield and the submarine programme in Barrow.
“I’m very grateful to the Minister for agreeing to take our asks back to Whitehall and advocate for Barrow with Secretary of State.”
Mr Opperman said: “It was pleasure to meet with Furness’ fantastic local MP, Simon Fell, alongside Westmorland and Furness Council, and BAE, this morning to discuss Team Barrow and the key transport requirements needed to take the ambitious submarine programme forward.
“There is no project like Team Barrow in Whitehall – it is unique and has buy in across the whole of government, and so I am delighted to visit and learn more about the key transport requirements for the community for the future.
“I will continue to work closely with Simon to deliver the projects that will most help his constituents and ensure that the whole community feels the benefit of Team Barrow.”
Mr Opperman also visited West Cumbria yesterday afternoon to visit the almost complete A595 roads scheme at Moresby.
The £21m project, which will be finished in early new year, will renew and upgrade drainage to reduce the risk of standing water and flooding on the road after intense rainfall.
The new drainage system method installed by National Highways features a large attenuation pond that filters rainwater and improves water quality before it enters the Lowca Beck.
The layout of Howgate roundabout has also been enhanced to increase capacity on the exits, with the installation of a new 200 metre merge lane on the southbound exit, while the road has been resurfaced from the roundabout to Pelican Garage.
Additionally, a major embankment carrying the road to Sellafield has been fully reconstructed to improve safety on this vital route.
Carlisle MP John Stevenson also hosted Mr Opperman to demonstrate the urgent need for investment into the A69. This includes the full dualling of the road between Carlisle and Newcastle, and the detrunking of the road in the Warwick Bridge area.
John said: “The A69 is a major route linking west to east and is used regularly by many residents, visitors and businesses. There is an extremely strong economic case for dualling the road in its entirety.
“Not only that, dualling the A69 would reduce travel times and make the road a safer route to travel. Sadly just last week, we saw two major accidents which resulted in loss of life, and severe disruption, with the A69 closed in both directions twice in one day.
“I have long since lobbied for improvements to the A69 however this situation cannot be allowed to go on. I am asking Government to look into this request as a matter of urgency and I will happily work with all parties to get these road improvements over the line.”
