A MULTI-MILLION pound project to boost the gateway into Whitehaven has taken a step forward.

The county council is behind the scheme to change the road junction at Bransty Row/North Shore Road in the town.

The works will help pave the way for significant new development in the North Shore area as well as improving traffic flow and enhancing road safety for drivers and pedestrians.

The next phase of works which are about to start will involve a series of improvements on Tangier Street, with new pavements, carriageway works and the creation of a new bus stop and shelter.

In order for the council's main contractor, Thomas Armstrong Ltd, to carry out the works, the road will be closed for around two weeks from early next month.

Measures will be in place to ensure businesses on Tangier Street can receive deliveries during the closure and access will be maintained to the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners car park.

Access will be maintained at all times for pedestrians, dismounted cyclists and emergency services vehicles.

Councillor Keith Little, the council's cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “The county council has secured significant funding for these improvements which will create an enhanced gateway for Whitehaven and help unlock substantial new investment in the town.

"A series of improvements will be made on Tangier Street as part of the overall scheme.

"Unfortunately we will need to temporarily close the road to allow our contractor to safely carry out these works. We appreciate this will cause some disruption and we’re working with local businesses to minimise the disruption as much as we can.”

The council secured £1.66m of funding for the highways improvement scheme from the government’s National Productivity Investment Fund, together with a £834,000 contribution from profit for purpose property firm, BEC, to support the North Shore regeneration.

The full programme of improvement works include:

  • Introduction of traffic light controls on Bransty Row/North Shore Road junction.
  • Improved pedestrian crossing points and links between the harbour, the proposed 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 increase in provision for taxis to reflect forecast increased footfall in the area.
  • Enhanced provision for cyclists, people with disabilities and the partially sighted.