Motorists could be caught up in traffic jams for six weeks, as work to widen a road in Carlisle takes place.

The work, being carried out on Eastern Way – near the fire station – involves constructing an additional turning lane into a new access road for the regenerated Durranhill Industrial Estate.

Highways staff at Cumbria County Council are carrying out the roadworks but the regeneration of Durranhill Industrial Estate is part of a city council project.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “The works on Eastern Way involve construction of an additional turning lane into a new access road for the regenerated Durranhill Industrial Estate, as part of a Carlisle City Council project.

“Traffic controls will be in place for approximately a further six weeks while the road is widened.

“They will then be removed and the road will revert to two-way traffic, during construction of the access road junction.”

The city council owns the freehold to the majority of the Durranhill Industrial Estate.

The estate is home to Cavaghan & Gray, one of Marks & Spencer’s key suppliers, and is the main base and headquarters for Carlisle police station.

A spokeswoman for the city council said: “The infrastructure improvement scheme at Durranhill Industrial Estate is progressing well.

“The latest phase of work is to create the new entrance from Eastern Way. Temporary traffic signals are in place to allow the construction work to be undertaken and Carlisle City Council would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“The £2.25m project is being undertaken by Carlisle City Council with funding provided by Cumbria LEP (£2m) and the Homes and Communities Agency (£0.25m).

“The project commenced in summer 2015 and is scheduled for completion in summer 2016.”

She continued: “The scheme comprises a new access road from Eastern Way linking into the former Cavaghan & Gray riverbank site (which will release a further 3.3 ha for development), widening of Brunel Way, improvements to the electrical infrastructure and landscaping. 

"The works will enhance the attractiveness and functionality of this key M6 corridor employment site and this has been reflected in recent development activity on the estate.”

Councillors recently granted permission for about 70,000 sq ft of of industrial units on the former Cavaghan & Gray riverbank site.

The city council spokeswoman added: “Two sites have also been sold on the former Border TV site and construction has commenced on a new facility for SBS Cumbria Ltd a manufacturer of UPVC building products.”