Residents react to major upgrade on A595 in Grizebeck

The Department for Transport has awarded £23.31 million to Westmorland and Furness Council’s Grizebeck improvement scheme that will see 1.4km of new road built between Chapels and Grizebeck.

The project is set to boost economic growth in the area by creating a route that will support the safe and reliable movement of goods and people into, around, and out of Barrow. 

Residents have shared their views on the project.

Lee Granville said: "Just need the rest of our roads upgraded now. Let’s hope the powers that be don’t stop with one road."

Jacqui Sugden said: "Fingers crossed that this will be done as soon as possible."

The A595 between Grizebeck and Kirkby blocked by two lorries trying to get round a corner at the same time in August 2013. (Image: Harry Atkinson)

Ian Wharton said: "About 40 years late, just in time for an election."

READ MORE: Work on £30m Grizebeck Bypass will start in September

Jonathan Brind said: "Spending money on upgrading roads is a bottomless pit. What we need is the revival of the formerly excellent public transport system, for example, the replacement of the old disused rail tracks with a modern, automated light rail or tram system. This would be quicker, better, cheaper (even if tickets were free the project would cost much less than the roads).

Work on the A595 Grizebeck Improvement Scheme could start as early as September 2024. 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.

Councillor Matt Brereton. (Image: Submitted)

Councillor for High Furness Matt Brereton, who has been involved in the project since his time at the council, said: "I understand the scepticism of people who have been waiting for this not just four or five years but for longer.

"As long as I have been alive the road through Grizebeck has always been a problem and has always been a pitch point and obviously in recent years the capacity on the road is just no longer what it needs to be.

"I am as confident as I can possibly be that in the next year to 18 months, we will see major progress and I have been told that actually once the shovels go in the ground the road will not very long to build.

"There still got to be ongoing consultations. Once the contractors are on site in full numbers then people will at least begin to see that progress is being made."

Phil Greenup, Assistant Director for Sustainable Transport and Highways at the council, said: “This is the first major road scheme we will deliver as a new council and our investment highlights our commitment to improving transport links for our more rural areas and promoting safer roads.

“The well-being and interests of residents, visitors and road users will be at the forefront of delivering this scheme and necessary measures will be taken throughout to minimise the impact on our communities.

“We have worked hard to get this far and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this scheme has in Westmorland and Furness.”

MP for Barrow Simon Fell said he was 'delighted' to announce the funding for the project had been approved by Westminster- and he thanked several 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: "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."

The announcement comes as a part of Team Barrow, a collaborative project between Westmorland and Furness Council, BAE Systems and government, focused on transforming transport infrastructure amongst other key areas to support future employment growth at BAE.