Cumbria has been awarded £4.968 million of additional to be used to fund an extensive package of drainage and bridge repair and improvement works, helping to maintain and enhance the resilience of the county’s extensive road network.

The works will focus on key routes and locations susceptible to flooding. Following the announcement of the additional funding, the council’s highways department will now work alongside local members, as well as district and parish council colleagues and local communities, to determine when each project can commence and to inform local residents of any potential disruption.  The funding will be distributed across all six county districts.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Cumbria has experienced the devastating impact of a number of severe weather events over the last few years. The impact of climate change means these events are set to become more frequent and due to our location and geography, Cumbria is likely to be impacted more than other parts of the country.

“This funding is welcomed by the county council and will help to ensure that the highways network is more resilient to cope with these weather events in the future, maintaining access between our local communities, businesses and key services.”

Cumbria County Council is one of 29 local highways authorities awarded a share of a £100 million investment package announced by the government on 30 June, to help reignite local economies and connect communities as part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.