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138K views 969 replies 8 participants last post by  denm 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Carlisle's damaged Millennium Bridge closed
Cumberland News, Tuesday 14 June 2011


Rusty metalwork on the bridge

The Irishgate Bridge across Castle Way in Carlisle has been shut until further notice after an inspection found damage to the structure.

The £750,000 footbridge - known locally as the Millennium Bridge - has been plagued by gremlins since it opened in 2000.

It follows the line of the city wall, providing a link across the busy dual carriageway from the city centre to Carlisle Castle and Bitts Park.

The city council is advising pedestrians to use subways at Tullie House or Hardwicke Circus, or the pelican crossing by the former Globe pub, while the bridge is out of action.

A spokesman said: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank the public for their understanding.”

The 110ft-long curved bridge weighs 60 tonnes, is finished in white and features a 60ft-high steel mast from which load-bearing cables span out.

The Civic Trust branded it too modern and out of character and argued it was not needed.


Read More - http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/car...nium-bridge-closed-1.846969?referrerPath=home
 
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#53 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Call to make flood-hit Cumbrian road "national priority"

Published at 11:36, Wednesday, 06 January 2016

An MP has urged the government to make the repair of the flood damaged A591 connecting north and south Cumbria a "national strategic priority".

Tim Farron MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the government should show a renewed sense of urgency in dealing with the problems caused by Cumbrian flooding, calling in particular for a solution to the A591 closure.

In a debate in the Commons, Mr Farron argued that the effects of the flooding are still being felt across Cumbria, and called on the government to act quickly to help the residents and businesses affected.

In particular, Mr Farron highlighted the case of the A591, destroyed by flooding near Dunmail Raise.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/call-to-make-flood-hit-cumbrian-road-national-priority-1.1232542
 
#55 ·
Aye the people in Cumbria have been hit really hard in the past few weeks,--we really feel for them,-----and yes you are right Aylett,--those main roads should be priority for the thousands that use and depend on them,--here's hoping they can get the roads fixed as soon as,--cheers.
 
#56 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Thomas Armstrong to build temporary road in Lake District

Published at 11:14, Tuesday, 12 January 2016

A Cumbrian construction firm will take on the job of building a bypass around the collapsed section of the A591.



The news comes on the same day Cumbria County Council confirms it will construct temporary road bridge across the river Eamont at Pooley Bridge, replacing the 300-year-old structure destroyed in last month's floods.

A new bypass around a section of Dunmail Raise, which was destroyed by Storm Desmond, will be built by Thomas Armstrong Ltd.

Representatives from the firm met with the county council's designers Capita today to discuss the designs and agree the programme of work.

Work is expected to start on Tuesday, January 19, and will take three weeks to complete.

The schedule is dependent on the completion of two temporary bridges which will cross the beck that runs alongside the A591 and another beck which runs down from Birk Side.

The road will make use of existing forest road up the east side of Dunmail Raise as well as creating a new unsurfaced access road across the open fell at the top of the hill.

It will only be open to the public transport shuttle-buses, pedestrians and cyclists as it will not withstand heavy traffic.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/t...ild-temporary-road-in-lake-district-1.1232813
 
#57 ·
This from the News & Star,--

New effort to upgrade main A595 road through Cumbria

By Kelly Pattison

Last updated at 13:53, Tuesday, 12 January 2016

A fresh bid is being made to upgrade the A595 road – one of Cumbria’s major routes.



Carlisle MP John Stevenson has written to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin calling on him to consider putting the whole of the road back under the direct control of Highways England.

He believes the matter should be explored because of the part the A595 will play in the county’s future industrial development and economic growth.

Most of the A-road, which runs from Carlisle to Barrow, is currently managed by Cumbria County Council after it was de-trunked.

Only a stretch running through west Cumbria remains under the control of Highways England as part of its national network of key routes.

The letter comes after the Transport Secretary visited another key Cumbrian route late last month. He joined other ministers, senior politicians and engineers at the A591 between Keswick and Grasmere.

In his letter, Mr Stevenson writes: “The long-term economic success of the county will be greatly enhanced if connectivity within the county is improved, particularly with regards to the road network.

“I accept that there are limited funds available in which to achieve this, but nevertheless, with the national strategic investment of a new nuclear plant on the west coast of Cumbria, improving connectivity within the county becomes increasingly necessary.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/new-effort-to-upgrade-main-a595-road-through-cumbria-1.1232839
 
#58 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Key Cumbrian route to reopen by end of May

Published at 15:07, Thursday, 14 January 2016

The storm-damaged A591 - the key route through the Lake District - is set to reopen by the end of May, it has been announced.



Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has made the pledge during a fresh visit to the county today. It is his second visit to the A591 in as many weeks.

Kier Highways has been appointed to carry out repairs to the road at Dunmail Road and survey work on the affected area is underway to ensure the reinstatement of the full A591.

The vital Lake District tourist route, which stretches between Grasmere and Keswick, has been closed between St Johns in the Vale and Dunmail Raise since December following significant damage caused by storms Desmond and Eva.

Highways England has been brought in to deliver a full and permanent reinstatement of the road, to enable it to be reopened as soon as possible.

They are currently overseeing the complex survey work required to fully identify any further measures required, over and above the repair needed at Dunmail Raise, to allow the road to be fully reinstated.

Once identified, this work will be managed and delivered by Highways England and their contractors.

He also announced that Highways England had appointed Kier Highways to repair the section of the road which has collapsed at Dunmail Raise.

The preferred contractor to deliver repairs to the A591 north of Dunmail Raise alongside Thirlmere will be announced following the completion of urgent assessments. The work will include determining the stability of the mountain side, retaining structures, drainage and boundary walls.

The work will include improvements to the road to reduce the risk of collapse in the future.

Mr McLoughlin said: “Restoring the A591 is a vital part of our plan to get Cumbria back on its feet after the devastating floods caused by the recent storms. Tourism is an essential part of the local economy and I am pleased that work is underway to repair this major route between Grasmere and Keswick.”

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/key-cumbrian-route-to-reopen-by-end-of-may-1.1232937
 
#59 ·
This from the News & Star,--

More bridges in Cumbria reopened following inspections

Last updated at 11:05, Sunday, 17 January 2016

Another three vital bridges that were closed following Storm Desmond have been reopened.

Gote Bridge in Cockermouth, Ouse Bridge in Dubwath, near Lake Bassenthwaite, and Broughton High Bridge were reopened by Cumbria County Council officials yesterday.

It brings an end to weeks of misery for some local residents and motorists who've had to endure long delays and detours to go about their daily business.

Gote Bridge, one of the main bridges that connects Cockermouth, has been closed since the initial flooding on December 6 with Ouse Bridge being closed shortly after. Inspectors were forced to close Broughton High Bridge, which connects Great Broughton with the A66, on December 14 after they believed "scouring" had taken place.

However, all three were deemed safe by county council inspectors.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/home/more-bridges-in-cumbria-reopened-following-inspections-1.1233007
 
#60 · (Edited by Moderator)
This from the News & Star,--

Bridge collapses into river



A bridge has collapsed on the outskirts of Carlisle.

Bell Bridge, between Sebergham and Welton, is believed to have crumbled into the river at lunchtime today.

A local businessman reported that it was there at midday, but when he drove past at 12.30pm it had vanished.

The bridge was one of those closed by Cumbria County Council last month, following concerns over its structural stability.

Read more Bridge collapses into river
 
#61 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Roadworks planned for one of Carlisle's busiest routes



A MAJOR £100,000 roadworks scheme will take place on one of Carlisle’s busiest roads.

Cumbria County Council is investing the cash in resurfacing the A7 Eden Bridge between Hardwicke Circus and Brampton Road.

The work will take place overnight, to minimise disruption, but will see the road reduced to one lane in places – and Brampton Road closed at its junction with the A7 Stanwix Bank.

The maintenance work is scheduled to start on Monday, February 8 and is expected to last for five nights, subject to weather conditions.

The resurfacing will be carried out overnight between 7pm and 6am, during which time Eden Bridge will be reduced to one lane in either direction.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/R...outes-c7e90fce-d1fa-4db3-acb9-c015ebba61bb-ds
 
#62 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Cumbria council to decide on future of temporary traffic lights



4 February 2016 10:47AM

CONTROVERSIAL traffic lights may become permanent - despite claims they cause chaos at peak times.

Approval is being sought to erect full time traffic lights on Low Road, Whitehaven, but not all motorists support this move.

Cumbria County Council says feedback from the temporary lights has been positive, including from residents.

It is understood the scheme could cost around £150,000 - calls to widen the road would run into millions, it is claimed.
It's chaos at peak times because there are long tailbacks and people are getting frustrated.

County councillors will discuss potential plans at a meeting in Cleator Moor tomorrow.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/C...ights-3ac6e765-4e39-41f8-bdc3-7e29bc31bec1-ds
 
#66 ·
I live on the other side of Whitehaven and occasionally use Low Rd to get to the Aldi on Preston St. If these lights weren't on Meadow View, it would be chaos again as the road is almost single lane due to parked cars on the left hand side and many times lorries have been stuck, and also parked cars have been damaged by people trying to squeeze through.
 
#63 ·
From the Times & Star

Bus service to plug the gap between Keswick and Grasmere

A vital link across Dunmail Raise will return on February 16.

Cumbria County Council has announced plans for a public bus service on the A591 connecting Keswick and Grasmere.

Services will use the temporary road which is being built to bypass 'The Gap' on Dunmail Raise.

Forecasts for high winds over the next few days are set to delay completion of the temporary road.

The crane needed to install the second Bailey bridge cannot be operated in high winds. They delayed the installation of the first Bailey bridge earlier this week.

The bus service, operated commercially by Stagecoach, will connect with existing bus services at Grasmere.

It will operate on an hourly basis from 7am until 7pm six days a week, with a two-hourly service on a Sunday between 10am and 5pm.
Full story at http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/...smere-3820b57f-9ad1-49e4-a51a-98054bf05e72-ds

Stagecoach's take on the news:


New route to Keswick due to flood damage on the A591


COMING SOON!

Great news, Stagecoach have been working with Cumbria County Council to improve the connections between Grasmere and Keswick due to the recent flooding caused by Storm Desmond..

Significant damage was caused to the A591 and whilst we wait for the Highways Agency to rebuild the road again, we will run a shuttle service along the western shore of Thirlmere, connecting people once again to Keswick.
The new 555 shuttle timetable between Grasmere and Keswick will be available as soon as we know the temporary bridges are in place.

The 555 shuttle service between Kendal and Penrith via the A6/M6 that connects with the X4/X5 will no longer run once the new shuttle service is up and running.

Passengers using the shuttle service can also take advantage of our special fares. Buy a 1 day Explorer on the shuttle bus for only £5 or a 7 day North West megarider Gold for just £20. You can then use these tickets on any Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire service for the duration of this ticket.

Keep up to date with us @StagecoachCNL and we'll keep you posted as soon as we know this service will start.
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promo...ice-555-shuttle-between-keswick-and-thirlmere
 
#64 ·
Repair of this road can't come soon enough, it being the main route from Keswick to the central Lake District. I don't know why the report is written in one line paragraphs.

From the North West Evening Mail

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/lakes...storm-da56878e-024a-4b53-a31b-815e940f9bb4-ds

Work starts to repair Cumbria road destroyed by storm

A HIGHWAYS boss is confident an improved stretch of the collapsed A591 will withstand future storms.

Two months after it was badly damaged by Storm Desmond, work finally got under way today to restore the key road - which provides a vital link between the north and south Lakes.

However, the Dunmail Raise stretch will not be ready to take traffic until May.

Andy Withington, senior manager at Highways England North West, said: "We need to repair approximately 120 metres of the A591 which had collapsed.

"That involves excavating the existing road down to the under level, then start to build it back up.

"It's not a small amount of work but we are aiming to do it by the end of May."

Once repaired, the road will have a reinforced wall to prevent it from washing away in heavy rainfall.

Mr Withington said although it isn't a quick fix, it will be worth it in the long run.

Asked if he can assure residents it won't happen again, he said: "Absolutely. The existing road was just over an embankment which got washed away by high water flows.

"We are building a reinforced concrete retaining wall, tied in to the rock with steel columns.

"It will be very secure. We have been tasked with making sure there won't be a repeat, and there won't be.

"It's a very substantial repair."

There has been some criticism of the time it has taken to start the repairs to what is a key tourist route, linking Keswick and Grasmere.

But Mr Withington said Highways England was only asked to help Cumbria County Council with the project a month ago.

"The secretary of state committed to do something at the beginning of January so although it might not seem like a quick response, it has only been four weeks," he said.
 
#65 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Falling numbers and road closures blamed for end of bus service



12 February 2016 10:15AM

A bus service along the Cumbrian coastline has been axed – with falling passenger numbers and constant road closures being blamed.

Wigton-based Reays coaches has confirmed that their number 60 service which runs from Skinburness through to Workington will end next month.

The firm says that the number of people using the service has been low and that repeated closures of the B5300 coast road between Silloth and Maryport has made running it no longer commercially viable.

Last month it was revealed that locals were angry at how often the road was closed because of problems with debris being washed ashore.
I think the situation needs a complete rethink and the community needs to come forward and say what they require

Business owners in Silloth and along the route have been critical of the highways authorities, claiming more needs to be done to keep the road open, or reopen it quicker.

However, Cumbria County Council stated it is done in order to keep motorists and members of the public safe.

Reays has run the service since 2001 for the county council and continued to operate it when the authority pulled its route subsidy two years ago.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/F...rvice-a556fb56-0aba-4922-8fe6-3addcdf4183c-ds
 
#69 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Falling numbers and road closures blamed for end of bus service

12 February 2016 10:15AM

A bus service along the Cumbrian coastline has been axed – with falling passenger numbers and constant road closures being blamed.

Wigton-based Reays coaches has confirmed that their number 60 service which runs from Skinburness through to Workington will end next month.

The firm says that the number of people using the service has been low and that repeated closures of the B5300 coast road between Silloth and Maryport has made running it no longer commercially viable.

Last month it was revealed that locals were angry at how often the road was closed because of problems with debris being washed ashore.
I think the situation needs a complete rethink and the community needs to come forward and say what they require

Business owners in Silloth and along the route have been critical of the highways authorities, claiming more needs to be done to keep the road open, or reopen it quicker.

However, Cumbria County Council stated it is done in order to keep motorists and members of the public safe.

Reays has run the service since 2001 for the county council and continued to operate it when the authority pulled its route subsidy two years ago.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/F...rvice-a556fb56-0aba-4922-8fe6-3addcdf4183c-ds
A change of heart from Reays regarding this bus service. From the News and Star

"CAMPAIGNERS have won their battle to keep the vital coastal bus service between Silloth to Workington.

Reays Coaches announced last week that it was due to end its number 60 service from the end of next month because the B5300 road at Dubmill Point was closed so often that the service was no longer financially viable.

The firm made a U-turn on its plans after Allonby villagers wrote to Workington MP Sue Hayman and the district and county councils to find out if the coach company could get support.

Chris Reay, the firm’s managing director, said: “We have decided to try to retain an essential service for people getting to school and work, although we understand it is going to be a loss maker."

Full story at http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/B...rvice-23ee3fe6-67a1-48d9-9378-eabd49ab51e3-ds
 
#67 ·
This from the News & Star,--

MP encouraged by minister's road upgrade response



15 February 2016 8:50AM

THE fight to upgrade one of Cumbria’s most notorious roads is stepping up a gear.

Crucial studies are underway that campaigners hope will confirm that securing improvements to the A595 is of national importance.

Hundreds of millions of pounds is being made available for roads upgrades nationwide where authorities can argue that the work will boost their area’s economy.

Drivers, politicians and business leaders have for years been pushing for the road to become a dual carriageway amid frustrations about congestion and slow journeys.

And pressure is growing on the Government to make that happen with huge developments on the cards – not least a new nuclear power plant at Moorside, near Sellafield – that will lead to a huge surge in traffic.
Carlisle MP John Stevenson wrote to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, calling on him to consider putting the whole of the road back under the control of Highways England, a move he believes will ease the journey towards upgrade.

He has now had a response from Transport Minister Andrew Jones, who has said that Highways England will soon consider arguments for roads that should be taken under its control as part of the strategic roads network, for which an investment plan is being drawn up for post 2020.

And key to securing a place in that investment plan could be the results of a survey by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership into the county’s infrastructure.

Cumbria County Council is also working with Highways England on the

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/M...ponse-dcd3ce57-bdbd-4dc3-8fae-b6851f014438-ds
 
#68 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Car park charges cut in bid to boost city centre trade



16 February 2016 8:16AM

CHARGES are being cut in a Carlisle car park as part of efforts to get people to stay in the city for longer.

The city council is introducing a slight reduction on rates at the Upper Viaduct car park in the city centre.

The move comes after officials noticed a marked increase in the number of people using the car park in the wake of December’s devastating floods, which took the payment machines out of action.

From tomorrow, it will become 20p cheaper to park for three to four hours, 40p less for four to six hours and 50p cheaper for up to nine-and-half hours. Those prices will be £2.60, £3 and £3.50 respectively.
We want to encourage drivers to use our car parks as revenues are ploughed back in to supporting essential council services

More reductions at council-owed car parks are due to come into play from April.

Some drivers have said they started using Upper Viaduct again while pay and display machines were out of action and have continued using it since the machines returned to full working order – a fact that’s not been lost on council officials who are keen not to see numbers drop off again.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/C...trade-eaeada50-7f6a-4b1e-a582-7d0ac7ddeba8-ds
 
#70 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Traffic won't be allowed on key Cumbrian route

TRAFFIC will not be allowed to travel on the new temporary road standing in for the A591.

Highway engineers do not think the temporary road could be opened to two-way traffic without causing gridlock and two hours of queues at each end.

On average, around 5,000 vehicles travel on the A591 a day in the months of March, April and May.

Given this likely volume of traffic and the narrowness of the road, highway engineers have decided the temporary road should not be opened to more vehicles.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/l...route-b62f6705-81d4-4f1a-89cf-e92d98d9318a-ds
 
#71 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Driverless lorries set to be trialled on M6 in Cumbria



7 March 2016 8:22AM

A STRETCH of Cumbria’s M6 motorway looks set to become a test route for driverless lorries.

It is thought the vehicles could be tested in platoons on the M6 near Carlisle as part of the initiative, which Chancellor George Osborne is expected to confirm funding for in his Budget next week.

This proposed scheme would see the vehicles travel in a tightly-packed convoy designed to improve fuel consumption by reducing drag.

Steering, acceleration and braking of the road train would be controlled by a driver in the lead vehicle. The drones behind would have a driver in each cab as a safety precaution to regain control in the event of an emergency.

It is hoped this technology could improve road safety.

Paul Tatters, head of roads and transport policy for the AA, has issued warnings about the idea.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/D...mbria-cdb80c2d-2529-4554-bc99-5aeb90dba7b1-ds
 
#72 ·
This from the News & Star,---

A591 to reopen sooner than expected



11 March 2016 8:41AM

HOPES are rising that the A591 at Dunmail Raise will re-open to traffic earlier than expected.

The main road between Keswick and Ambleside was closed by a landslip when Storm Desmond hit at the beginning of December, effectively cutting the Lake District in two.

Kier Highways is repairing the road and Cumbria County Council had said it would reopen for spring bank holiday weekend at the end of May. But work is ahead of schedule and the council says it could reopen sooner.

Councillor Keith Little, the cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “We are now hopeful that the A591 will be open in advance of the bank holiday.

“This is great news and gives businesses in the area a clear date to plan for. It is of course subject to any unforeseen delays but as it stands this is very good progress.”

Although Stagecoach has been allowed to run an hourly shuttle bus between Keswick and Grasmere since February – using a resurfaced forest road – the route is not wide enough to open to other traffic.

The bus service has been popular, leading Stagecoach to lay on duplicate vehicles at busy times to cope with demand.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/l...ected-1242448e-a902-4e39-b78f-65ae64665c49-ds
 
#87 ·
A591 reopening date ahead of schedule

This from the News & Star,---

A591 to reopen sooner than expected

HOPES are rising that the A591 at Dunmail Raise will re-open to traffic earlier than expected.

The main road between Keswick and Ambleside was closed by a landslip when Storm Desmond hit at the beginning of December, effectively cutting the Lake District in two.

Kier Highways is repairing the road and Cumbria County Council had said it would reopen for spring bank holiday weekend at the end of May. But work is ahead of schedule and the council says it could reopen sooner.

Councillor Keith Little, the cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “We are now hopeful that the A591 will be open in advance of the bank holiday.

“This is great news and gives businesses in the area a clear date to plan for. It is of course subject to any unforeseen delays but as it stands this is very good progress.”

Although Stagecoach has been allowed to run an hourly shuttle bus between Keswick and Grasmere since February – using a resurfaced forest road – the route is not wide enough to open to other traffic.

The bus service has been popular, leading Stagecoach to lay on duplicate vehicles at busy times to cope with demand.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/l...ected-1242448e-a902-4e39-b78f-65ae64665c49-ds
A591 re-opening ahead of schedule on May 13th (probably):banana::banana::banana::banana:

From the Times and Star

The storm-damaged A591 is expected to reopen on May 13.

Contractors have been working since February to rebuild the road between Keswick and Grasmere after part of it was washed away during December's floods.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said yesterday that Highways England and lead contractor Kier were doing all they could to reopen the road on May 13.
The opening date was first scheduled for the end of May.
The earlier opening means the major link between the north and south of the Lake District will be reopen in time for the May half term and spring bank holiday.
Highways England and lead contractor Kier are repairing the road on behalf of Cumbria County Council.

Full story at http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/...edule-179bea67-3d56-47fd-a372-3f36904bc280-ds
 
#73 ·
This from the News & Star,---

Work to improve pedestrian safety at busy town centre junction



11 March 2016 12:48PM

WORK is due to start next month to improve a busy town centre road junction.

The county council is to start work on the junction between Jane Street and Washington Street in Workington on April 4 to improve safety.

Work has recently been completed at the Ramsay Brow junction to raise the height of the pedestrian crossing lights and make the crossing safer as part of the same scheme.

Councillor Joe Holliday, who represents St John’s ward on the town, district and county council, said he had raised the issue of safety at the Ramsay Brow crossing since the pedestrian crossing lights were lowered around five years ago.

He said: “The issue is that the green man light is right next to the crossing, but that is a busy area and if it’s crowded you can’t see it.


“You just have to watch what the person right next to it does, but what if they decide to cross without waiting for the green man? We weren’t able to change them before because the law didn’t allow it.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/W...ction-5dceba03-cd0a-42a6-97ae-6acb497b3a4b-ds
 
#74 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Repair work due to start on flood-hit bridges



12 March 2016 5:50PM

WORK is expected in the next month to repair three bridges shut by December's floods.

Repairs are expected to start on Isel Bridge on March 18 and take about eight days.

Cumbria County Council is working with BT to make sure crane work does not disrupt phone lines.

Around six days of work are due at Southwaite Mill Bridge from March 26, followed by about five days of work on Dearham Bridge from April 3.

The repairs to those two bridges have been delayed due to heavy rain and high water levels.

Repairs to the open Blennerhasset Bridge are expected to begin on Monday and take four days.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/l...idges-a7b43da8-c848-4b02-b484-74dc7160d13c-ds
 
#75 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Council says sorry and pays back cash after wrongly fining motorists



CUMBRIA council has apologised after wrongly fining drivers parked in a town centre.

It has admitted its civil enforcement officers have spent more than a year issuing tickets to vehicles parked on an unadopted piece of road in Workington.

The section of Edkin Street, running from the corner of Laura Ashley towards a service yard, is next to the adopted highway the council controls.

A county council spokesman apologised for the error and said all paid fines were refunded after the problem was brought to the authority’s attention.

The news comes weeks after it was revealed that Allerdale council had ticketed vehicles parked in a service yard behind Campbell-Savours Way in Workington despite having no authority to do so.

It, too, apologised and said refunds would be issued.

At Edkin Street, the county council issued 15 unauthorised tickets in 2015 and eight in the first two months of this year.

Parking tickets can only be issued in areas covered by legal orders.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/C...rists-061ff14b-67de-4022-ad57-2cab6cabe190-ds
 
#76 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Bridge closed after divers discover foundations damage



16 March 2016 6:09PM

A FLOOD-HIT bridge has been closed after damage to its foundations was discovered.

Blennerhasset Bridge, on the U2077 road, had been open and waiting for repair for what was thought to be minor scouring to the bridge piers and damage to a downstream weir.

A dive inspection yesterday showed additional significant damage to its foundation, forcing immediate closure.

Repair work that was due to be carried out this week is now being reviewed and a fresh timeline is being drawn up.

It is not yet known whether this will delay scheduled works to other bridges.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/l...amage-5c4f92f1-1b90-4e53-a8ec-8f1d1ef16ecf-ds
 
#77 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Extra roads cash is good but it's 'never enough' - county leader



19 March 2016 10:02AM

THE leader of Cumbria County Council has welcomed a huge new funding boost to help repair the county’s flood-ravaged roads and bridges – but has admitted it’s “never enough”.

Stewart Young

Stewart Young
Stewart Young said that the £82.6 million of Government cash that has been pledged to Cumbria should cover vital repairs to the county’s infrastructure needed in the wake of Storm Desmond.

The latest funding announcement means the total pot available to the county council for these issues is just under £122m following an earlier pledge from transport ministers.

Mr Young said that the authority’s highways team were already using the money on projects to repair the A591 and restore the bridges in Pooley Bridge and Eamont Bridge.

He said: “It’s never enough. We are hoping it will be enough to repair the damage.

“But we would’ve had aspirations to do more than that to make us more resilient.

“We are continuing to talk to the Government but at the moment this is very welcome.”

With about 30 bridges remaining closed following December’s floods, the scale of the job still facing the authority is vast. Mr Young added: “If we hadn’t have got any money we would’ve been in desperate straights.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do this work, in fact we would’ve had to stop doing some.”

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/E...eader-c6a7fe3d-d5a9-44a9-aba0-8133db23d754-ds
 
#78 ·
This from the News & Star,--

14-week project to replace gas mains on busy Carlisle road




14-week project to replace gas mains on busy Carlisle road
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23 March 2016 9:27PM

WORK has started on a £300,000 upgrade to gas mains along a busy road.

Northern Gas Networks is carrying out the work on an ageing system along Greystone Road in Carlisle.

It involves replacing more than 2km of metal gas mains with a plastic alternative that engineers believe will be more durable.

The 14-week project means temporary traffic lights are along the road, a busy artery between Warwick and London roads.

It has been planned to coincide with flood repair work taking place in the area, one of the worst affected by Storm Desmond in December.

Apologies have been issued in advanced of any travel disruption caused.

Matty McBride, construction services area manager at Northern Gas Networks, said: “We have planned this work closely with Cumbria County Council to coincide with the flood recovery works in the area.

“We understand the recent floods have caused a huge distress to the community and through working closely with the local highways authority we have agreed to carry out our replacement works at the same time as the flood recovery works in order to minimise further disruption to residents.”

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1...-road-ee0a8256-79f8-4983-a919-e328055b1b1a-ds
 
#79 ·
Landslip may force closure of main road for year

Another problem for the Cumbrian road network, this time the main road from Workington and Whitehaven.

From the News and Star:

A major landslip has been found on an embankment to the left of the A595 northbound between the Lowca junction and Howgate roundabout.

Talks are underway about how to deal with the huge volume of traffic that uses the road.

It is understood that Highways England, which is responsible for the road, cannot advertise a diversion from a major road onto minor ones.

That means the only available alternative route available is a 40-mile diversion via the A5086 through Egremont, Frizington, Lamplugh and Cockermouth.

But instead of a diversion, a temporary road bypassing the closed stretch may be built from the Howgate roundabout to the Rosehill road.

A temporary bridge to take motorists over the work is understood to have been ruled out due to the vibrations it would cause to the already unstable embankment.

A Highways England spokesman said: “The Victorian embankment on the A595 between Low Moresby round about and Lowca is reaching the end of its life and will need to be replaced.”
Full story at http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/L...-year-29e0d909-a8c2-49f1-9109-fb5bed346365-ds
 
#80 ·
#81 ·
This from the News & Star,--

18-month trial for new speed limit on stretch of A66 in Cumbria



31 March 2016 12:05PM

AN 18-MONTH trial lowering the speed limit on a notorious stretch of the A66 will come into force in May.

The speed limit between Warcop and Brough will be cut from 60mph to 50mph in an attempt to slow down traffic and cut the number of accidents on the road.

A spokeswoman for Highways England said: “The new speed limit applies on a 3.5 mile stretch of road on the single carriageway section of the A66 between Appleby and Brough.”

Between 2010 and 2014 there were 32 accidents involving 48 casualties. There were two fatal collisions in 2015.

The spokeswoman added: “There have been serious local concerns about safety on the A66 between Appleby and Brough.

“The new 50mph limit is a response to a detailed review to examine the issue, which concluded that speed was a significant cause of accidents.

“The new limit is due to be introduced in May.”

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1...mbria-aef32efc-1c62-473e-952c-7b25ace423e0-ds
 
#82 ·
This from the News & Star,--

18-month trial for new speed limit on stretch of A66 in Cumbria



31 March 2016 12:05PM

AN 18-MONTH trial lowering the speed limit on a notorious stretch of the A66 will come into force in May.

The speed limit between Warcop and Brough will be cut from 60mph to 50mph in an attempt to slow down traffic and cut the number of accidents on the road.

A spokeswoman for Highways England said: “The new speed limit applies on a 3.5 mile stretch of road on the single carriageway section of the A66 between Appleby and Brough.”

Between 2010 and 2014 there were 32 accidents involving 48 casualties. There were two fatal collisions in 2015.

The spokeswoman added: “There have been serious local concerns about safety on the A66 between Appleby and Brough.

“The new 50mph limit is a response to a detailed review to examine the issue, which concluded that speed was a significant cause of accidents.

“The new limit is due to be introduced in May.”

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1...mbria-aef32efc-1c62-473e-952c-7b25ace423e0-ds
I use that stretch of road regularly. The signs are already up and ready for implementation.

It is quite undulating and in parts twisting compared to some other parts of the A66 and is a shortish stretch between two dual carriageway sections. The worst part is between the junctions for Warcop and Sandford. Experience suggests something closer to 40mph would be more appropriate for this stretch, and I am not sure that a reduction of just 10mph will make much of a difference. The other problem is that this twisting section and the one nearer to Brough are connected by a long straight section which is regarded as a race track by impatient motorists, despite two road junctions and an entrance to the Army Firing Ranges.
 
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