A MAJOR project which will upgrade the A595 at Grizebeck may start as early as September, after funding has been granted by central government.

Work on the A595 Grizebeck Improvement Scheme could start as early as September 2024 after an announcement that central government have signed off a business case and grant agreement for the project.

The project will have a 22-month construction period which is programmed to finish in June 2026 – but the contractual completion date is May 2028.

The A595 Grizebeck Improvement Scheme is a proposed 1.4km single carriageway road between Chapels and Grizebeck on the A595. According to the report the road provides a ‘critical link’ for Cumbria.

The Mail: Simon Fell MPSimon Fell MP (Image: Newsquest)

MP for Barrow Simon Fell has said he is 'delighted' to announce the funding for the project has been approved by Westminster- and he thanked a number of organisations for their work on the project.

He believes the upgrades will lead to 'safer, more reliable' journeys for people in the South of the county.

In a statement on social media, MP for Barrow Simon Fell said: "I am delighted to announce that the funding for the Grizebeck bypass has now been approved and spades should be in the ground in September.

"This vital project was meant to have begun work in 2022. But it was delayed by COVID, and a £10m shortfall emerged as the Council put together its final business case. Thankfully the Team Barrow initiative allowed us to unlock the funding we needed to bring this now nearly-£30m project back to life.

"Huge thanks to local campaigners for keeping the pressure up on this project, for Westmorland and Furness Council for working so closely with me to make the case for additional funding from Government, and for Transport Minister Guy Opperman  for leading the final charge around Whitehall after visiting Grizebeck for himself a few months back.

"As a result, we should soon see safer, more reliable journeys from Barrow up to Millom and beyond."