A £500,000 bridge repair project on the A66 between Cockermouth and Workington has started, bringing a 30mph speed limit.

The nine-week project started yesterday on the bridge over the River Marron near Bridgefoot.

The work is set to be completed by March 12.

The project will replace the bridge’s expansion joints, which allow the bridge deck to expand and contract safely during changes in weather.

Both lanes will be kept open during the day.

Most of the work will be done between 10pm and 6am on weekdays and between 10pm and 8am at weekends, when traffic management will include temporary traffic lights and some road closures.

A temporary 30mph limit, supported by speed cameras, will be in place throughout the work.

Mark Mosley, Highways England project manager, said: “This is routine wear and tear replacement work but it needs to be done and we’re doing all we can to minimise any disruption to drivers’ journeys by restricting the work, and most of the traffic management arrangements, to overnight periods.”

Before any road closures take place Highways England will resurface sections of the county council road between Brigham and Bridgefoot to provide safe and smooth journeys along the diversion route.

The resurfacing work is starting this week.

Meanwhile, work to improve flood resilience on the A66 at Bassenthwaite Lake has entered its final phase.