People in south Cumbria will be savouring peace and quiet with the opening of the A590 High and Low Newton bypass today by Highways Agency Chief Executive Archie Robertson, which will be used by nearly 14,000 vehicles a day.
The new 2.5 mile bypass will restore the two villages to their traditional, tranquil, Lakeland setting - reducing noise, dust dirt and emissions from vehicles as well as reuniting communities split by a busy main road.
Mr Robertson said:
"This is a big day for the villagers of High and Low Newton, as they see traffic using the new bypass and no longer passing close to their homes. They can once again enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful part of Cumbria.
"The new bypass will also improve journey time reliability for road users, as well as increasing safety for both local residents and travellers.
"I congratulate the Highways Agency and its contractors for overcoming the bad weather of recent months to get the road open on time and to budget."
Work started on the £35.3 dual carriageway bypass in summer 2006. Special efforts have been made to blend the road into the Lakeland environment. More than five miles of dry stone walling have been built in traditional style while 51,000 native trees and shrubs will be planted, including 3,200 oaks and 15,000 hawthorn.
The area's wildlife has also been protected - including a derelict pig sty being converted into a new home for the local bat population.
Mr Robertson was joined at the opening by Mary Long, aged 90 and 13 year old Claire Fletcher the oldest and one of the youngest villagers. Both took part in the start of work ceremony in July 2006.
Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. The A590 High and Low Newton bypass was added to the Department of Transport's Targeted programme of Improvements in October 2003. Line, Side Road and Compulsory Purchase Orders resulting from a public inquiry in 1993 were made in December 2004. In July 2005 Laing O'Rourke was awarded the contract to design and construct the new road. Work began in July 2006.
3. Real -time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is now available:
* From our new Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
* On the internet at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
* By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more).
4. Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.
5. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary)
