Road closures mark start of overpass construction

Part of a "key route" is being closed for two weekends as part of a £23m scheme.

Westmorland and Furness Council is building a one-mile (1.4km) stretch of single carriageway on the A595 in south Cumbria.

The full closure at Grizebeck village over the first two weekends of February is to allow junctions to be safely built for a temporary route which will be used while a new overpass is constructed.

Cabinet member for highways Peter Thornton said: "The completion of these planned works will mark a significant project milestone."

He added it would "take us one step closer to delivering a safer, more efficient route for everyone who relies on the A595".

Funded by the government, the scheme aims to reduce congestion between Chapels and Grizebeck on what Westmorland and Furness Council describes as one of the county's "key arterial routes".

It began in August 2024 with the creation of new habitat areas to protect biodiversity, including a large pond and the installation of nesting boxes.

The temporary route, scheduled to open in mid-February, will operate for six months while the new overpass is built, which will provide access to Grizebeck Village for local traffic.

A signed diversion route will be in place but access for pedestrians, cyclists and the emergency services will continue.

Thornton said: "We recognise road closures can be inconvenient, which is why we have scheduled them on weekends to minimise the impact on school traffic and weekday commuters.

"We are grateful to the community for their patience and cooperation as we work to bring these vital improvements."

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