A66 junction work to start with £900,000 National Highways funding

A major project to improve road access between Workington in Cumbria and the county’s major A road and motorway network, boosting the local economy, will start at the weekend.

The Workington Gateway scheme is part of a £33 million regeneration of Workington town centre led by Cumberland Council. The work involves remodelling the Ramsay Brow T-junction in the town centre where the local road network meets the end of National Highways’ A66.

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The gateway project will provide smoother journeys to and from the area, improving access to businesses and industrial parks for HGVs. National Highways is supporting this work with a £910,000 contribution from its Designated Funds programme.

To deliver the junction improvement, access from the A66 into Workington town centre will be closed for three consecutive weekends starting this Friday (12 September).

National Highways programme delivery manager Steve Mason said:

“As part of the remodelling plans, which include widening the A66 on the approach to Ramsay Brow junction, Cumberland Council will need to close the end of the A66 in Workington Town Centre for three weekends.

“The work at Ramsay Brow is a vital part of the overall improvements in the town and will increase HGV accessibility to the most direct route between the town’s port and strategic road network.” 

The improvements at Ramsay Brow include removing a restriction on HGV lengths negotiating the junction as well as better access and connectivity between Workington Academy and the town centre for cyclists and pedestrians.

During the three consecutive weekends starting this Friday (12 September) the A66 will be closed from 8pm on each Friday night to 6am on each Monday morning in both directions between Ramsay Brow junction and Bridgefoot roundabout. Alternative access to and from Workington Town Centre will be provided using a diversion via the A595 and A596.   Access to the A66 beyond Bridgefoot Roundabout and the junction with Park End Road will be maintained throughout for local people.

Work at Ramsay Brow junction is expected to be completed by March next year with temporary traffic lights in place for much of the time. More details on the regeneration project and associated roadworks - including temporary arrangements for buses using the A66 into Workington - are available at Cumberland Council’s own website.