PLANS linked to a project that aims to make Cleator Moor a better-connected town can be revealed today.

Working with Copeland Borough Council, the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board secured an offer of £22.5 million from the Government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund initiative last summer.

'Connected Town' is one of four projects that seeks to enhance the image of Cleator Moor, reduce congestion, provide more opportunities for residents and visitors to walk and cycle, and provide links to the West Cumbria Cycle Network and the popular C2C cycle route.

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Chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, Bob Metcalfe, said: “There are huge potential benefits linked to the Connected Town project.

“Making Cleator Moor a safer, less congested, better connected and more welcoming place to live, work and visit is central to all four of our Town Deal projects. Connected Town touches on each of these key areas.”

As part of the proposals, seven locations across the town have been highlighted as areas where money could be invested in new or improved paths for cyclists and pedestrians.

They are:

  • Mill Hill to the Leconfield Industrial Estate;
  • Leconfield Industrial Estate to Birks Road;
  • Town Square frontage;
  • Aldby Grove to the east of Wath Brow Junction;
  • Market Square to Cleator Mills link;
  • the Leconfield to Activity Centre link;
  • the Leconfield Industrial Estate links

There are also plans to improve the wider cycling infrastructure through improvements such as the introduction of cycle parking.

The Connected Town project also includes proposed improvements to three road junctions; Wath Brow the Bowthorn Road/Whitehaven Road junction and the Leconfield junction.

And there are plans to enhance gateways into Cleator Moor - the main entry points by road - to provide a positive first experience for people travelling into the town.

Mayor of Copeland, Mike Starkie, said: “Cleator Moor has some fantastic walking and cycling opportunities already but to bring them together would really be of benefit to everyone.”

A public exhibition with display boards showcasing the latest updates from projects will be held at the Cleator Moor Civic Hall on Tuesday, May 24 between 2pm-4pm and 5pm-7pm.

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