Speed limits proposed for roads around major works in Cumbria
New speed limits could be brought in on roads around the A595
New speed limits have been proposed for the roads around a major highways project in Furness.
The A595 Grizebeck improvement scheme is creating a new single carriageway road between Grizebeck village and Chapels.
Westmorland and Furness Council was awarded £23.3m by the Department for Transport in 2024 to go towards the scheme.
The council says that the works are designed to improve safety, journey times and resilience along one of Cumbria’s ‘key transport routes’.
Now, proposals have been put forward to introduce updated speed limits to the new section of the road and on the roads which were already in place.
A report summarises the proposals, including recommendations from council officers.
It says: “As part of the A595 Grizebeck Improvement Scheme, assessments have been carried out in accordance with the design requirements to determine appropriate changes to speed limits and prohibitions along both the new and existing sections of the A595 at Grizebeck.
“These changes are intended to enhance road safety within the local area and align with the project’s wider objectives of supporting economic growth by creating a resilient route that ensures the safe and reliable movement of goods and people into, around, and out of Barrow-in-Furness.”
The speed limits brought in would be: 40mph along parts of the A595, 20mph along the C5013, 20mph along the C5014 Buckthorn Lane, 20mph along the U5985, which is the former A595 that has been reclassified, and 40mph along a different part of the C5014 Buckthorn Lane.
There would also be double yellow lines on the former A595 and prohibition of motor vehicles orders – except for access – for the C5013 and C5014 Buckthorn Lane.
At consultation, residents and Kirkby Ireleth Parish Council had no objection to the new speed limits being brought in, although the council and one resident said they would prefer national speed limit parts of the A595 to be made 50mph for increased safety.
Another said that Buckthorn Lane should not be ‘mothballed’, saying that it is a ‘perfectly good, serviceable road’.
The South Lakeland Locality Board will decide upon the proposals on Thursday, April 16.