Highways England triggers Cumbria project

Work is to start in September on the £9.5m upgrade of the A590, where a new roundabout will support future development.

The improvements will take place along the A590 at Cross-a-Moor, south of Ulverston, to replace the current staggered junction while also supporting the creation of the 1,063 houses being built in the area.

The £9.5m project, which also includes funding from Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and South Lakeland District Council, aims to improve the 19,000 trips made between Ulverston and Barrow every day.

Highways England’s senior project manager Steve Mason said: “The new roundabout will usher in an important new era for the Furness peninsula. Not only will it cut congestion and improve safety on the A590 and local roads, it will also support the creation of new jobs and the extra traffic that will come off the back of new houses being built.

“As we move into the construction stage of the scheme we will look to minimise disruption for road users. I’d like to thank people for their patience while we carry out this vital work.”

The existing staggered junction has Main Road running east off the A590 and Cross-a-Moor running west of it. When work begins on 6 September, there will no longer be the option to turn right from the A590 onto Main Road, with diversions in place.

Both Cross-a-moor and Main Road will be closed in phases during the scheme.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This is a busy route, and the investment will be vital to the improvement of infrastructure and connectivity needed on the A590 to continue the housing-led growth in the Ulverston area.”

The project was one of a raft of schemes included in a £67m government highways funding programme announced in January 2018, since when costs have climbed from just over £5m. Cumbria County Council is contributing £1.8m.