DRIVERS waited up to an hour on the A590 this week because of two simultaneous electricity upgrades involving traffic management systems.

Electricity North West, which was conducting the work, said it was agreed 'in advance with National Highways and Westmorland and Furness Council.' 

There were huge queues reported near the Newby Bridge roundabout on June 18.

Drivers reported waiting over an hour at Backbarrow, and that the traffic line went past Haverthwaite. 

One said it took them over an hour to get from Dalton to Newby Bridge. 

On that day, Electricity North West works began from the A592 roundabout to the start of the dual carriageway at Fiddle Hall, with multi-way traffic signals in place. The work finished on Thursday, June 20.

There were also roadworks between the A590 at Newby Bridge to the C5024 via Lakeside, just off the National Highways network and managed by Westmorland and Furness Council. The work started on June 17 and finished yesterday, June 21. 

A spokesperson for Electricity North West said: “Separate teams were carrying out work on the A590 which involved upgrading the electricity supply for two customers.

"We use traffic management systems such as temporary traffic lights to allow our teams to work safely on the roads. All of the work was agreed in advance with National Highways and Westmorland and Furness Council and all work will be completed today (June 21).”

For the A590 job, managed by National Highways, Electricity North West revealed that there was initial discussion about moving the work earlier. The date was moved to ensure it did not clash with school holidays in May.

Overnight work was considered but this can be disruptive in terms of noise. 

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “We work closely with our partners and all works on our routes are carefully planned. The works on the A590 have already been removed and we understand the A592 will be completed today (June 21).”

It is not the first time this year there has been disruption on the A590 because of work carried out by the company. 

In January, temporary traffic lights on the A590 at Newby Bridge also caused delays of up to 40 minutes for motorists.