Cumberland Council is continuing to invest in Cumberland’s roads, pavements and infrastructure through a £27.5 million highways works programme aimed at improving transport links, maintaining assets and keeping communities connected.
The Highways and Transport Strategic Board has received an update on the delivery of the 2026/27 programme, which is funding a wide range of improvements across Cumberland’s highway network. The programme is supported through capital funding and covers everything from road resurfacing and drainage improvements to footways, bridges, road lighting, traffic signals and tree works.
The investment is helping Cumberland Council maintain and improve its extensive highway network, ensuring roads remain safe, reliable and resilient for residents, businesses and visitors. The works are delivered in line with the Council’s Highway Asset Management Strategy and are prioritised using technical surveys, condition assessments and local knowledge from highways teams.
The programme includes:
- £3.7 million for work on the Resilient Road Network.
- More than £7 million for improvements to the wider road network.
- £1.2 million for footway improvements.
- £1.5 million to address drainage issues.
- £4.2 million for bridges and structures maintenance.
- Funding for road lighting, traffic signals, signs, road markings, trees and local highway improvements.
Alongside the main programme, highways teams are also delivering additional projects including works at Central Way in Workington and the Start in the Park project at Hammonds Pond in Carlisle.
Karl Melville, Cumberland Council’s Assistant Director for Highways & Transport, said:
"Maintaining and improving our highways network is one of the council’s most important responsibilities, and this £27.5 million programme demonstrates our commitment to investing in the roads, bridges, pavements and infrastructure that people rely on every day.
"The programme supports communities right across Cumberland and helps us address deterioration, improve safety and extend the life of our highway assets in the most effective way possible.
"Our teams use a combination of detailed technical surveys, local knowledge and ongoing inspections to ensure investment is targeted where it is needed most, helping us deliver long-term benefits for residents, businesses and visitors."
The Board noted the update and progress made so far in delivering the 2026/27 Highways Works Programme, which represents one of the largest annual investments in Cumberland’s transport infrastructure.
To see the full report, please visit Cumberland Council’s website.