Works get underway later this month on two new crossing points and pavement for the A6 in Penrith. The works are the first highways project to take place in Penrith since the lockdown period.
The scheme, part of an agreement with housing developer Persimmon Homes, will help enhance road safety and enable pedestrians to cross the road more easily, as well as making the nearby bus stop more accessible.
The works will be carried out ahead of Persimmon Homes beginning works on their nearby housing development. Construction of a new footway alongside other features of the works were a condition of the planning approval for the housing development. The highways works will be carried out by Persimmon Homes, with inspection from the county council’s highways department.
A summary of the works commencing from next week:
- Construction of a new estate road junction on the western side of the A6
- Construction of a new 2 metre wide footway along the new development frontage and grass verge, adjacent to the A6
- Construction of two new pedestrian refuges in the A6 to permit pedestrian crossing movement, and a new footway (approx. 75 metres in length) on the eastern side of the A6 which will connect to the existing provision, providing improved access to the bus stop
- Removing the existing ‘gateway’ feature and relocating this 50 metres further north. This will include buildouts on either side of the carriageway to narrow the road width and moving the current 30mph to this point, as well as new road markings and hazard marker posts to highlight the gateway
- New improved road lighting on the A6
- The provision of dropped kerbs at the existing Pennyhill Park junction
- Removal of existing road markings to enable filter lanes to be formed on the A6 providing 2 right turns into the new junction (Persimmon Homes development) and the existing junction (Pennyhill Park), and new centre line hatching towards the Salkeld Road junction, visually reducing the existing road width
- New highway gullies which will connect into the existing highway drainage system
- Removal of trees within the existing highway verge
Cllr Hilary Carrick, local member for Penrith North, said: “This is the first highways project to take place in Penrith since the lockdown and I am delighted that this area of town will benefit from these works. The new crossing points will make it much safer and easier for residents to cross the road and access the bus stop. Thanks to everyone involved in what has been a good example of strong partnership working.”
The works will commence from Monday 25 May.