A wide range of road safety, parking and traffic management improvements have been approved across Cumberland following a series of Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) reviews by Cumberland Council's Highways and Transport Strategic Board.
The measures cover communities in Carlisle, North Cumberland and West Cumbria and have been developed following consultation with residents, businesses, local members, Cumbria Police and other stakeholders.
The approved proposals are designed to improve road safety, reduce obstruction, maintain visibility at junctions, improve accessibility and support the safe and efficient movement of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists across the county
Improvements across Carlisle
In Carlisle, the Board approved a number of changes including new waiting restrictions on roads such as Dalston Road, Lismore Place, St Cuthbert's Street, Blackdyke Road and Cecil Street, along with a new loading bay on West Walls to support local businesses. A revised proposal for Peacock Road was also approved following discussions with local businesses to balance parking needs with access for larger vehicles.
Improvements across North Cumberland
Across Wigton, Aspatria, Silloth and surrounding areas, the approved measures include new waiting restrictions to improve visibility and access, school safety improvements, disabled parking provision in Silloth, a one-way system and parking changes on Esk Street and Skiddaw Street, and a number of new 7.5 tonne weight restrictions on rural roads where larger vehicles are considered unsuitable. One proposal on Main Street, Abbeytown, will not proceed following concerns raised during consultation.
Improvements across West Cumbria
In West Cumbria, the Board approved new and extended waiting restrictions in communities including Cleator Moor, Cleator, Egremont, Thornhill, St Bees, Moor Row, Bigrigg, Holmrook, Millom, Haverigg, Kirksanton and Moresby Parks. Improvements also include enhanced disabled parking provision in Egremont, longer disc parking periods in Millom town centre and new four-hour parking limits in selected lay-bys along the A595 and B5344 to help improve availability for road users.
Karl Melville, Cumberland Council’s Assistant Director for Highways & Transport, said:
"These reviews help ensure our traffic and parking arrangements continue to meet the needs of local communities while supporting road safety, accessibility and efficient traffic movement across Cumberland.
"The proposals have been developed following extensive consultation and feedback from residents, businesses, local councillors and partner organisations. In several cases, schemes were amended in response to the comments received before recommendations were brought forward.
"The approved measures will help tackle local concerns around visibility, congestion, access and road safety, while ensuring our highways network works more effectively for everyone who uses it."
The Board reports concluded that the proposals would support safer and more effective traffic management across Cumberland. The associated impact assessments found the measures are expected to have a broadly neutral overall impact, with positive benefits linked to improved road safety and accessibility.
The approved measures will now be implemented as part of Cumberland Council's ongoing programme of Traffic Regulation Order reviews.
To see the full report, please visit Cumberland Council’s website.