09 November 2018

Public invited to have their say on A595 Bothel improvement proposals

Local residents, businesses and users of the A595 are being asked to have their say on proposals to improve the A595 within the vicinity of Bothel.

Cumbria County Council is launching a consultation on Friday 9 November to seek people’s views on the potential route improvements. A range of opportunities are being provided for people to find out more and share their views. Public consultation drop-in events will be held at Bothel Village Hall on:

Wednesday 14 November, between 3pm and 7pm.
Saturday 17 November, between 10am and 2pm.

The consultation will close on Friday 7 December 2018.

People can give their feedback by going online at cumbria.gov.uk/A595Bothel. Printed feedback forms will also be available at the drop-in events and can be returned free of charge to: FREEPOST CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL

The county council is undertaking a transport study and has considered a number of options for a potential road improvement scheme. Potential improvements have been identified (see the attached plan):

Westbound and eastbound climbing lanes to the west of Bothel village;
A reconfigured junction at the A595/A591;
Road widening and realignment to reduce the curve of the bends at Kirkland and north of Bothel; and
A new off-line road alignment south of Low Woodnoook between Kirkland Green and Aldersceugh

Cumbria County Council is working with government to secure funding for this essential road improvement scheme. The county council believes the improvements on this key road will bring a number of benefits, including:

Support economic growth in Cumbria by improving journey times on the A595;
Improve the connectivity of the A595 to make it more suitable for freight traffic accessing existing and proposed major developments;
Improve network resilience and the quality of journeys;
Improve safety for road users along the A595 corridor; and
Minimise adverse impacts on the environment and reduce carbon emissions.

Feedback from the consultation will be used alongside technical study work to inform the improvements to be taken forward. The county council will then produce a business case for improvements to demonstrate why the scheme is needed and the benefits it will bring - helping to secure the government funding needed to deliver the scheme.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “Improvements to the A595 within the vicinity of Bothel is a really important scheme, which will not only improve journey times and help boost the county’s economy but also create a safer and more resilient road network. The county council has identified potential improvements and we are now launching a public consultation. I’d strongly encourage people to take the time to get involved, read the consultation document and attend the events - it’s important that local people have their say, so we can develop the best possible scheme.”