[I]ntrusive Investigatory Works will commence from Monday 9 July on a £2.5m highways improvement scheme for Whitehaven, designed to help pave the way for significant new development in the town’s North Shore area.
The county council led project will reconfigure the road junction at Bransty Row/North Shore Road to ease congestion, improve traffic flow and enhance road safety for drivers and pedestrians. The project will not only assist future development in the North Shore area but also create an enhanced entrance into Whitehaven.
The works commencing from Monday will involve undertaking trial pits in order to understand the ground conditions and the location, depth and condition of statutory infrastructure and utilities on the site. During this time, we will need to redirect pedestrians, but disruption will be minimal and access will be maintained for all pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users.
The bus stop at Bransty Row will not be in use during the works and passengers wishing to use the bus service will need to use the stop on Duke Street, Whitehaven. Stagecoach will publicise this via their website and social media channels. The taxi rank will also not be in use during the works and an alternative temporary rank will be provided on North Shore Road.
£1.66m of funding for the highways improvement scheme has been secured from the government’s National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF), together with a £834,000 contribution from BEC (formerly Britain’s Energy Coast).
Together with partners including CCC, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners and Copeland Borough Council, BEC will be bringing forward an exciting multi-million pound regeneration scheme for the North Shore, including plans for managed work space, a 100-plus bed hotel and a multi-storey car park.
In April, Cumbria County Council completed a four-week consultation, including two public drop in events on the highway improvement scheme, which includes:
- Introduction of traffic light controls on Bransty Row/North Shore Road junction.
- Improved pedestrian crossing points and links between the harbour, the new developments and the town centre’s historic core.
- Enhancement of the road junction at Tangier Street/George Street to improve traffic flow and facilitate development.
- Relocation and tripling of provision for taxis to reflect forecast increased footfall in the area.
- Reduction of the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph on section of Bransty Row
- Public realm improvements to enhance the gateway into Whitehaven.
Councillor Keith Hitchen, Chair of Cumbria County Council’s Copeland Local Committee, said: “Upgrading this key junction will unlock substantial new investment in the town through BEC’s exciting regeneration plans. The project will also improve traffic flow and road safety, and create a new and welcoming entrance to the town.”
Michael Pemberton, CEO of BEC added: “We are pleased to see the county council reach this key milestone and support their team to advance the programme that will not only bring positive changes ahead of our North Shore development but much needed improvements for the wider road infrastructure in the town.”
More information about the plans can also be found on the county council’s website at cumbria.gov.uk/bransty