The A590 and A66 in Cumbria and the A585 in Lancashire are to get improvements designed to cut road traffic collisions as National Highways works to reduce killed and seriously injured casualty figures.

Work on the first of the three projects – which all feature the installation of new Jenoptik average safety cameras and associated signage – is underway along a six-mile section of the A66 between Dubwath and Cockermouth. The A66 scheme is costing £800,000 and involves installing four average speed cameras at key locations.  

The work is expected to be completed by the end of January with a break during the Christmas holiday period.

National Highways project manager Amy Gaskell said: “We routinely assess the performance of our motorways and major A roads to ensure they are operating as safely and as smoothly as possible – and we’re always exploring ways to improve safety on our roads and to listen to the concerns of local communities 

“Using collision data we’ve identified sections of the A590, A66 and A585 which we think will benefit from measures to slow down drivers and ensure they stick to existing speed limits – for their own safety and the safety of other road users including local residents.”

An 11-mile section of the A590 between Ayside and Brettargh Holt roundabout and a six-mile section of the A585 between the Windy Harbour junction and junction 3 of the M55 will also see safety improvements with the projects due to start in the new year.

A total of 15 new average speed cameras and associated signing will be installed along the A590 in a £1.61 million project.  The £800,000 A585 improvement will also see four new average speed cameras installed.  

The new safety measures are designed to encourage road users to stick to existing speed limits.   During the installation process some site-specific and localised roadworks will be needed but these will be done overnight or in off-peak periods during the day between 9am and 3pm.  

(Picture – National Highways)