13/07/04 - £1/2 million facelift for Workington road

Cumbria Highways and United Utilities have co-operated in programming major road works in Workington to minimise delays and congestion for motorists.   

The £1/2 million Cumbria County Council scheme to resurface 1,240 metres of the A596 starts on 19 July. The eight-week project, carried out by RMC Northern under the direction of Capita, will restore a smooth road surface between Guard Street and Castle Gardens. Cumbria Highways and United UtiIities, which is carrying out works on electricity supply, have worked together in scheduling their works to avoid creating bottlenecks.   

County Councillor Kevan Wilkinson, Cumbria County Council's spokesperson for transport and infrastructure, said:   

"Highway authorities and their agents and utility companies are often criticised for apparent lack of co-operation, but in fact they are regularly in touch with each other.   

"In this case United Utilities have taken exceptional trouble to fit in with the works on the A596 and we appreciate their help."   

About 200 metres of the Guard Street section of the A596, from Harrington Road roundabout to Park End Road, will be closed for up to two weeks from July 19. It is hoped to finish that part of the scheme within one week, so shortening the closure period. Diversions will be put in place along Harrington Road, the A597 and the A595. Local people will be alerted to the diversions and signs will alert motorists.   

During the rest of the work traffic will be controlled by signals where single-carriageway operation is necessary in High Street, which is the remaining stretch of the A596 affected. The work has been programmed to coincide as far as possible with the school holidays, which start on July 16. Traffic will then be generally lighter, so that inconvenience to the public will be reduced to a minimum. However, motorists are asked to consider taking other routes or using public transport where posible.   

United Utilities is laying high voltage cables in the Harrington area   

to replace old overhead lines. This is part of a programme which will   

improve supplies to people in the area. To reduce the disruption to motorists the work was planned with Cumbria County Council to coincide with the school holidays.   

Bill Hirst, United Utilities project manager, said:   

"We were happy to work with Cumbria County Council to make life easier for people while we carry out these improvements. Putting these cables underground will help secure supplies to hundreds of our customers and I'm sure people will be pleased we have done all we can to minimise disruption."   

Cumbria Highways is a partnership between Cumbria County Council and its design and management partner Capita.