By Sue Crawford

Last updated at 10:43, Thursday, 07 March 2013

Motorists are being urged to keep off narrow country lanes while a £500,000 package of roadworks is carried out on a busy Cumbrian road.

Highways bosses fear that drivers will use minor roads through villages to avoid delays caused by repairs on the A5086 Cockermouth to Egremont road.

Work starts next week on the scheme to improve the condition of the road between Mockerkin south junction and the Dean-Pardshaw crossroads.

Vehicles bound for Sellafield make up much of the traffic on the heavily-used road. A county council spokeswoman said the work was urgently needed to upgrade the condition of the road surface which has seen potholes and other problems

She said the major investment would involve carriageway resurfacing and structural maintenance, which see the full closure of the A5086 during the course of the work.

She said: “When this road has been closed in the past, people living in the surrounding quiet villages have been disturbed by traffic trying to avoid the affected area.

“We would urge them this time to avoid these villages.”

The message was reinforced by Tony Markley, county council cabinet member for highways.

He said: “These essential works will bring great benefit to this much used road. Cumbria County Council ask that motorists would, wherever possible, navigate via the official diversion routes and avoid using the surrounding villages to circumvent the closure.”

Phase one of the work will start on Monday between Mockerkin south junction and Ullock junction. It is expected to be completed by Sunday, March 24.

Phase two will begin on Monday, March 25 with completion anticipated by Friday, April 12.

The work will be suspended over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend between Thursday, March 28 and Monday, April 1 to avoid extra congestion.

Diversions will be in place using the A66 and A595.

First published at 10:42, Thursday, 07 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk