Traffic chaos has hit Carlisle once again with motorists facing increased journey times as they try to make their way in and out of the city.

Work being undertaken on the mini roundabout between Currock Road, Currock Street and Crown Street by Electricity North West has seen traffic backed up in all directions as cars wait at the three-way lights since Monday night.

Motorists attempting to access London Road through Currock's Boundary Road must also cope with a two-week diversion following the closure of Beaconsfield Street. Work on the road, a busy thoroughfare, is being undertaken at its entrance onto Five Roads End by Northern Gas Networks.

Some motorists reported that journeys from one side of the city to the other have taken more than half an hour to the tailbacks. Businesses close to where work has been taking place say they have noticed a fall in trade.

Derek Brown, sales manager at Border City Autos on Crown Street, said: We've definitely had fewer people dropping in over the past couple of days. I think because of the roadworks people aren't stopping to come in and have a look around.

"We weren't told it'd be happening, we just saw it when we came in on Tuesday morning. Some cars have been using Water Street and Robert Street to get round it."

Kim Hall, who works in administration and as a relief manager at the OpShop on Boundary Road said that there have been fewer customers. "It's not been as busy," she said. "Parking around here is a problem anyway, but with the road closed it means that people can't stop.

"It might be even worse at the weekend, when we have people coming in to drop off donations so that might be affected as well. It's a busy roundabout anyway so it could be worse if people think they can get through when they can't."

Northern Gas Networks said that the work being undertaken on Beaconsfield Street is part of its "ongoing investment in Carlisle's infrastructure" and form part of the project that began on Blackwell Road in July.

Ricky McMillan, site manager, said: "We’ve worked closely with Carlisle City Council to carefully plan these works and minimise disruption to customers.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank our customers for bearing with us as we complete this essential project."

Meanwhile a spokesman for Electricity North West said that the work at the Currock Road/Currock Street/Crown Street junction should be finished today and apologised for any inconvenience caused.


Heather Bradley Heather Bradley, who represents Currock on Carlisle City Council has urged motorists to be patient while the work takes place.

She said: "I know that Beaconsfield Street has closed and that's going to be a problem for cars trying to get from Boundary Road onto Currock Road, Junction Street and maybe on to Castle Way.

"Unfortunately it's essential work that needs to be carried out and so the road has to be closed for safety reasons. I know that they will be doing their best to make sure that there is as little inconvenience as possible."