Road junction improvement for Whitehaven

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 is creating an enhanced entrance into Whitehaven as well as easing local congestion, improving traffic flow and enhancing road safety for drivers and pedestrians.

Our photos below illustrate before and after improvement works, providing a snapshot of how the scheme is enhancing the area.

While carrying out surfacing work in early November, the council's main contractor, Thomas Armstrong Ltd, uncovered a significant issue with the highways drainage system. Unfortunately this caused a small delay to the project, however the drainage issue has now been rectified and this section of road should not have any further drainage problems.

Over the new few weeks, traffic lights will be in operation on Bransty Row to allow the following works to safely take place:

  • Resurfacing on Wellington Row and the area outside the taxi bay
  • Completion of layby and footway outside Wetherspoons
  • Installation of carriageway crossings and traffic islands

The improvement scheme is now 90% complete. Works will be paused and the contractor will leave the site over the festive period and return in January 2021. It is hoped all the works will be finished and the contractor will be completely off the site early in the new year.

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.

Before: Old taxi rank and pavement outside Wetherspoons

Before - Old taxi rank and pavement outside Wetherspoons

Now: New loading bay and bus stop and new paving

Now - New loading bay and bus stop and new paving

Before: Old tired looking pavement area

Before - Old tired looking pavement area

Now: New paving and post box moved to the back of the pavement

Now - New paving and post box moved to the back of the pavement

Before: North Shore Road, no pavement on the opposite side

Before - North Shore Road, no pavement on the opposite side

Now: North Shore Road, with a new pavement and wall on the opposite side, and a new taxi bay on the near side.

Now - North Shore Road, with a new pavement and wall on the opposite side, and a new taxi bay on the near side

Before: Old patch of grass next to Wetherspoons

Before - Old patch of grass next to Wetherspoons

Now: Creation of a new pocket park (still under construction) next to Wetherspoons

Now - Creation of a new pocket park (still under construction) next to Wetherspoons

Before: Junction of New Road and Bransty Road

Before - Junction of New Road and Bransty Road

Now: New road surface and re-lined

Now - New road surface and re-lined

Before: New Road

Before - New Road

Now: New Road, resurfaced and lined

Now - New Road, resurfaced and lined

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