A brand-new road that bypasses one of the worst bottlenecks in the area is set to be opened this weekend.
The new link road between Chapels and Grizebeck is the first major new road project to be completed by Westmorland and Furness Council and has been delivered on schedule and on budget.
The multi-million pound investment to improve journeys on the A595 was given the green light by Government in 2024, awarding £23.3 million towards the project.
The new 0.8-mile road bypasses notorious ‘pinch points’ and narrow sections of the A595 at Dove Bank and Dove Ford Farm. When it opens this Sunday, 2 August, it will improve the safety of journeys for local communities, as well as boosting economic growth in the area by creating a resilient route that will support the safe and reliable movement of goods and people to and from Barrow.
Cllr Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and ICT, said the project demonstrated what can be achieved through effective co-operation and collaboration.
He said: “It is wonderful to see this new road opening and significantly improving journeys for the many motorists using this busy route.
“To deliver a successful scheme like this requires lots of things to come together. The support of the community has been key, in particular the early campaigners on the A595 Action Group. The project has benefitted from clear aims, objectives and effective planning, politicians have worked together across party lines to support the scheme, we’ve worked with an excellent contractor and last, but not least, we have secured sufficient funding to make it happen.
“All this has happened on this project and I’d like to pay tribute to the local community and local businesses for their patience and support during the construction process and to Cllr Matt Brereton, the local Westmorland and Furness councillor, who has been a great link and advocate during the process.
“With the help of that effective co-operation and collaboration we have delivered this major scheme on time and on budget, which is a tremendous achievement.’’
As well as managing and delivering the scheme, the council contributed funding alongside the Department for Transport and Team Barrow – a collaborative project between Westmorland and Furness Council, BAE Systems and national government – in recognition of the new road’s strategic importance supporting ambitions to grow the local economy and help secure new investment opportunities and support job growth in Barrow-in-Furness.
Peter Anstiss, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Investment for Team Barrow, said: “This is fantastic news for the communities, businesses and everyone who relies on the A595. Improving transport connectivity is a key enabler within Team Barrow's 10-year plan, and investments such as this are vital to supporting economic growth, unlocking future investment opportunities and ensuring the safe, reliable movement of people and goods to and from Barrow. This project demonstrates the significant role that transport improvements will play in helping us realise our long-term ambitions for the area.”
Stakeholders, including representatives of the A595 community campaign group and funding partners, attended an event to hear more about the project. The special guests included three-year-old Grizedale resident Max Riley, who has loved watching the construction from his bedroom window and was delighted to be invited along to assist Cllr Thornton in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the new road.
Yesterday (30 July) a ‘community walk’ was also held allowing residents of all ages the chance to walk, cycle or scoot along the route before it opens to traffic on Sunday.
During the walk various aspects of the new road were pointed out, including a new road bridge clad with locally sourced Burlington stone and environmental features including biodiversity habitat areas, bat and bird boxes and the 31,000 trees, shrubs and hedgerows added as part of the scheme – which included 500 trees planted by around 60 residents who attended a community tree planting day.
As part of the programme, the council and Story Contracting also invited local charities, schools and community groups to apply for volunteer support for environmentally focused projects, to create lasting benefits for local communities and to demonstrate the scheme’s commitment to delivering social value beyond the construction works.
This resulted in more than 350 volunteering hours being allocated to a range of projects, including helping to redevelop a community allotment and carrying out improvements to outdoor learning and play areas at Burlington Primary School.
Andy Clode, managing director of Story’s Construction Division, said “We are very proud to have delivered this project on behalf of the council, and delighted that it is handed back on time and on budget.
“We have also been able to employ and train local people, held STEM sessions in schools and used several local companies in our supply chain. We would like to thank the community for their understanding and support during the construction phase of this landmark project”.