£1.9m roadworks set to last until June on A66 near Keswick

National Highways have began a £1.9 million resurfacing project of the westbound carriageway of the A66 between Penrith and Keswick.

The work, near Troutbeck, is expected to last until June with all traffic management removed during the three Easter and spring bank holiday periods before then to help people on holiday weekend journeys.

The 1.5 mile stretch is due to undergo this work to help manage the general wear and tear of the road, and improve drainage across the route.

National Highways project manager William Paterson said: “This is important work along this section of the A66 and it will be completed well ahead of the main tourist season. 

“Doing this work now will reduce the need for unplanned closures to tackle potholes and other surface defects and will provide safer, smoother and more reliable journeys for local people and visitors to the Lake District alike.”The roadworks mean that a lane in each direction will remain open to drivers between 6am and 7pm every day with a 40mph speed limit in place for the safety of drivers and road workers.

However, at night a convoy system will be in place. Drivers approaching the roadworks from both the eastbound and westbound carriageways will be held at temporary traffic signals and led past the works by construction workers.

The section of westbound road being resurfaced is between the Mungrisdale Junction and east of the Troutbeck Junction with the A5091.  Alongside the main road, some side road closures, with local diversions in place, will be needed when resurfacing teams are working near them.

Drainage at the Lisco/Walthwaite junction is also being improved during the project which is said to particularly benefit cyclists. That junction will need to close for five days, with a local diversion in place.