Thousands of highways and transport improvements will bring smoother journeys to Westmorland and Furness as a part of a £37.7 million programme.
Confirmed for 2025/26, the Council’s multi-million pound investment will deliver significant upgrades to transport infrastructure and tackle the challenges of ‘pothole season,’ brought on in Spring by increased traffic and the impact of winter weather.
Councillors have supported the spending plan that includes £19.9 million earmarked for improving carriageway surfaces that will build on last year’s works which fixed over 33,000 potholes identified by the council's proactive inspections and public reports.
The upcoming schemes will include even more permanent pothole repairs, full resurfacing of 59 roads, and surface dressing on a further 73 routes.
A total of £17.8 million will see other vital upgrades, repairs and maintenance delivered on bridges and structures, footway resurfacing, public rights of way, drainage, streetlighting, traffic signals, and road safety. Funds will also be allocated to public transport and cycling and walking infrastructure improvements.
The plan features a comprehensive schedule of maintenance and improvement schemes funded through capital grants from the Department for Transport that must be spent on activities aimed at extending the lifespan and enhancing the structural integrity of local infrastructure.
Westmorland and Furness Council is responsible for maintaining 2,600 miles of adopted roads across the area. The network is an aging asset that requires ongoing investment to ensure residents are kept safe and moving.
The schemes set to benefit from the investment have been carefully prioritised based on proactive safety inspections and assessments, carried out throughout the year, ensuring funding is directed where it is needed most.
Councillor Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT, said: “Our teams are out in all weathers, battling the very elements that cause the most damage, particularly over winter, when freezing conditions lead to the road deterioration that becomes most visible in spring.
“It is important to recognise that our road network is an aging asset and requires constant investment to stay safe and functional. Our £37.7 million highways and transport capital programme builds on the progress we are continuing to make, with a forward-thinking, proactive approach to improving roads for our residents, businesses, and visitors across Westmorland and Furness.
“We are not just reacting to potholes, we are delivering works through smarter, more sustainable methods that will extend the life of our highways and transport network and ensure a safer, more resilient network for years to come.
“Whether it’s resurfacing roads, improving drainage, or upgrading footways, bridges and other infrastructure, this investment will help protect our network, keep people moving safely, and make sure every pound is well spent.”