Drivers in Barrow will have a road layout to get to grips with when a brand new one-way traffic system on the A590 goes live on Sunday, March 9.
The switch over from the existing two-way traffic flow to the new one-way system will happen at exactly 10am.
The road will be closed at 7am when traffic is lightest to allow the last of new lines and signs to be completed - police officers will be stationed at each entrance to the area access to properties will be allowed while the road is closed.
At 10am the new one-way system will open with plenty of police and highways staff on hand to direct traffic and help drivers make sense of the new system.
The changes to road system will mean:
•A590 Walney Road becomes one-way southbound from Ironworks Road to Craven Park Roundabout
•Ironworks Road becomes one-way northbound from A590 North Road to A590 Walney Road.
•A590 North Road (between Craven Park Roundabout and Ironworks Road) and Ashburner Way will remain two-way to retain easy access to and from Walney Island.
The scheme includes: new traffic signals at the junctions of Walney Road / Ironworks Road, Walney Road /Ashburner Way, Walney Road /Duke St, North Road / Ironworks Road and Ironworks Road /Ashburner Way and new signal controlled pedestrian crossings on North Road and Hindpool Road.
The work also includes landscaping and environmental improvements such as paving, grass laying, tree planting, seating, lighting and the creation of a cycle lane.
The switch over to the new traffic system is the result of £2.4million investment in Barrow’s roads system to help improve infrastructure and employment prospects in light of the millions of pounds of public money being spent on regeneration in the town.
Some work, which can only be done once the traffic flow has become one way, will be completed during the rest of March.
Funding for the project has come from North West Development Agency through West Lakes Renaissance (£2.15million) and from Cumbria County Council (£250,000).
ENDS
Media enquiries to Justin Hawkins, Media Officer on 01228 606334