27/04/04 - County Council reaffirms opposition to A595 detrunking

Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet has today confirmed it will raise strong objections to the detrunking of the A595 at the forthcoming Public Inquiry. The Council fears that the detrunking will result in a deterioration of the route through lack of adequate funding.

County Council Leader Rex Toft says:         

“Poor communications are a major barrier to the economic regeneration of West Cumbria. The A595 is of critical importance and a lifeline for north south communications. It also provides that crucial link to national road network. It is major route and has to be maintained to the highest standards. The route has been neglected for many years despite its trunk road status.

As such the County Council will raise objections on two aspects of the future funding of the route. First, that the money the Council receives as highways authority for year on year improvements must be increased to reflect the additional responsibilities we will take on. Second, that we receive guarantees from the Government that they will support major improvements to the route when they are included in capital bids.

With the need to do all we can to attract new jobs and industry to overcome the predicted 8,000 job losses at Sellafeild, we are also concerned that sends the wrong message about the A595’s importance to the local economy. Therefore, we also agree with the objection made by Copeland Borough Council on those grounds.”