A595 Moresby improvements

We are investing £16 million on the A595 at Moresby so we can continue to deliver vital upgrades and keep drivers on the move throughout the region.

Start date December 2022

End date Winter 2023

Cost £16 million

Latest updates

14 March 2024

Community effort sees 2,300 trees planted

Last week (Thursday 7 March) more than 70 volunteers joined forces to plant over 2,300 trees on the site of our A595 Moresby improvement project.

The volunteers - made up of our staff, contractors, college students, residents and local businesses - planted a mixture of native trees and scrub that will improve biodiversity at Moresby Hall.

Caption: Volunteers came together to plant over 2,000 trees

When carrying out work to improve the A595 we retained Hawkeswood, an area of existing woodland that is home to birds and rare plant species.

The planting completed last week will enhance this important habitat by improving connectivity with newly planted woodland and other habitats in the wider area.

We worked closely with our main contractor for the scheme, AE Yates, to coordinate and deliver the volunteer planting.

Caption: Planting in action at Moresby in Cumbria

The planting marks the completion of our work on the A595 at Moresby Hall. As part of the improvement scheme, we’ve also planted 1,200 trees on nearby roundabouts and verges in the area.

This means we’ve planted around 3,500 trees in total during the project, contributing towards our commitment of planting three million trees by 2030.

Tree planting has multiple benefits to people and nature, as well to the road network.

Trees, together with ponds, can reduce the flow of water on our network helping to reduce the risk of flooding. In addition, they capture carbon and our newly planted woodlands will store carbon dioxide.

As well as air quality improvements, trees also provide opportunities for people to re-connect with nature to help improve health and wellbeing.
18 August 2023
Summer update

Last month we successfully completed our programme of ten weekend closures on the A595 near Moresby.

We achieved all planned work to schedule and have now reopened the route to traffic.

In total, we had 175 staff working over each of the ten weekends and with their hard work we completed the following:
- Finalising work on two new drainage tunnels under the A595.
- Increasing the length of the merge lane off Howgate roundabout.
- Installing 3.9km of new kerbs and kerb drainage along the A595.
- Installing 500 metres of new gas pipelines and BT fibre-optic cabling.
- Resurfacing over a mile of carriageway.
We are now in the final stage of our £16m improvement project and will be delivering work on the land either side of the A595 over the next three months.

Our focus will be on installing further drainage pipes to manage the runoff of rainwater into a new attenuation pond south of the A595 and to Lowca Beck to the north.

We will also be resurfacing the footpaths and adding the remainder of road markings and studs between Rosehill and Howgate roundabout.

Some roadworks will be needed overnight. We’ll always keep one lane of the A595 open and manage the flow of traffic with lights to keep impact on road users to a minimum. There may still be slight delays so please allow extra time when planning your journeys.

Thank you for your continued patience and support as we reach the final phase of our improvement scheme.

LED lighting upgrades

Road users in the region will continue to see improvements to the A595 as we upgrade roadside lighting this autumn.

We use hundreds of lighting columns to keep road journeys safe on the A595 and the majority of these lights still use old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs.

We're working to replacing them with LED lights, which could reduce the energy we use for lighting by 65%.

Our LED upgrade work will start on Tuesday 29 August on the section of the A595 between Dobies Roundabout near Lillyhall and Distington Roundabout.

Our lighting works will continue in a southbound direction along the route until our all upgrades are completed near Sellafield in late October.

We’ll be carrying out our upgrade work overnight, between 9pm and 5am, only on weeknights to minimise disruption.

Upgrades will close short sections of the A595 for the safety of our staff and diversion routes will always be signposted.

How did we do?

Please take a moment to share your feedback with the project team by completing a short survey.

By answering four quick questions you can help us improve communications on this and other schemes in the future.
19 May 2023

Update on weekend closures

Work continues on delivering essential improvements to the embankment and drainage along the A595 near Moresby.

Last weekend we put in place the first of ten weekend closures along a 3.5-mile stretch of the A595.

We know some people experienced issues with accessing properties in permit-restricted areas, particularly on Saturday, and we'd like to apologise to anyone who was affected by our roadworks.

We’re working hard to complete this essential project as safely and as quickly as we possibly can.

We have reviewed our plans for this weekend and have taken the decision to reduce our working areas within the closure to improve access for road users.

Between 8am and 6pm, anyone driving to Parton and Lowca will no longer need to be convoyed between Parton Brow and Bransty Road. The new arrangement should reduce waiting times and improve journeys for all road users, including taxi and bus drivers.

Vehicles accessing the restricted areas will still have to show a permit.

Stagecoach bus services

We would like to apologise for the disruption to local bus services over the weekend. We have collaborated with Stagecoach this week to identify a new approach for the Lowca circular bus.

Stagecoach bus services will operate as usual. However, the Lowca circular bus will now access Parton via Parton Brow from the A595. From here it will travel through Seven Acres, Ramsey Drive and Criffel Road to Brewery Brow before heading down Brewery Brow, through Foundry Road to Lowca. The bus will then turn around in Lowca before travelling back to Parton Brow via Foundry Road and Main Street, where it will rejoin the A595.

Stagecoach has also confirmed that they will be using a minibus for the circular route, improving their access through Parton.

Additionally, National Highways will be offering a resilience service in case Stagecoach withdraws its service. This will be accessed via a phone number that will be posted at all the affected bus stops.

For the latest bus service updates please visit the Stagecoach website.

Diversion route

Our primary diversion route for traffic in the region is the A5086.

We encourage road users to use the route safely and respect the speed limit. Our mobile speed enforcement van caught 129 vehicles speeding on the A5086 over the weekend and this data has been shared with Cumbria Constabulary.

Once again, we would like to apologise sincerely for the disruption our closures cause.

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: info@nationalhighways.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000.
26 April 2023
A595 weekend closures

The first phase of our work to deliver a £16 million improvement scheme on the A595 near Moresby is now complete.

We’ve built two site compounds, one alongside each embankment of the A595. Here micro-tunnelling techniques have been used to minimise disruption while we bored two tunnels under the embankment as part of our work to upgrade the drainage system along the A595.

We are doing all we can to minimise the impact of our improvement scheme, however there may be delays to journeys during the second phase of our works.

We will need to temporarily close a section of the A595 from next month for the safety of our staff and road users.

When will the A595 closures be in place?  

From Friday 12 May, the A595 will be closed between Distington roundabout and the Pelican Garage (junction of A5094 New Road) for 10 consecutive weekends, excluding the late May Bank Holiday weekend (26-29 May). 

The closures will be in effect from 8pm on Friday evenings to 5am on Monday mornings. 

Local Stagecoach bus services will run as normal during the weekend closures.

How can drivers avoid the A595 weekend closures? 

The A5086 through Frizington, Cleator and Cleator Moor will be used as the formal diversion route. It is suitable for all traffic.

To allow traffic to flow freely in both directions, parking restrictions on the A5086 will be in effect from 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays of the A595 weekend closures.

Parking restrictions will not apply to blue badge holders and a 5-minute loading time will also be permitted. 

Temporary car parking locations will be available to residents over the weekend. Letters informing the affected properties along the A5086 have been sent out. 

There are also three alternative local diversions which are only to be used by vehicles under 7.5t.

Details can be found further down this webpage.

How will residents and businesses be affected? 

 Access to local villages, including Parton, Lowca and Low Moresby, will be restricted to allow our staff space to safely install a new drainage system and reconstruct the carriageway.  

Properties affected by these restrictions have been sent letters notifying them of the restrictions. These letters included a set of permits that should be displayed in the front window of vehicles.

The permit will allow access to and from properties through a set of marshalled access points. If travelling in a north or southbound direction along the A595, signed local diversion routes off the A-road will direct you to your destination. 

Access to public and recreational events within these areas will be allowed without a permit. Registered taxis and delivery vehicles will also be able to pick up and drop off within the restricted areas but cannot used these as a through route.

How can I get more vehicle access permits?

If you require additional permits, these can be collected from Parton Village Hall every Friday, from 10am to 12pm, until the scheme’s completion. You can also request permits from the site office at Low Moresby, off Howgate roundabout, weekdays from 7am to 3pm.

Proof of address will be required (the permit letters will be considered proof of address).

How can I find out more information?

We are aware these weekend closures will greatly impact road users and the local community. We have taken every effort to engage with residents and local authorities to help shape our plans over the past year. 

Further communications are planned over the coming weeks, and we will continue to host a series of drop-in events at local venues across the affected areas:
- Every Friday until scheme completion, 10am – 12 midday - Parton Village Hall, Foundry Road, Whitehaven, CA28 6NY
- Every Friday until scheme completion, 1pm – 3pm - Cleator Moor Civic Hall, Jacktrees Road, Cleator Moor CA25 5AU
- Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 May, 4pm – 6pm - The Civic Hall, Lowther Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7SH
03 February 2023

Where are we now?

Work is underway on constructing two site compounds, one alongside each embankment of the A595 near Moresby.

We're currently building an entrance and access lane to the northern site compound from the unnamed road leading to Moresby Hall and St Bridget’s Church. Two-way temporary traffic lights are in place at either side of this entrance to allow vehicles and machinery to enter and exit safely. A reduced speed limit of 30 mph is also in effect.

Northern construction compound for the A595 Moresby improvement scheme

Tunnelling work is also underway at the northern site compound, where micro-tunnelling techniques will allow us to minimise disruption as we bore two tunnels under the embankment as part of our work to upgrade the drainage system along the A595.

We will continue to keep you updated as the scheme develops. You can expect to see more activity as we move into spring.

To find out more about our work on the A595 near Moresby, speak to the project team at one of our upcoming drop-in sessions. We’re welcoming visitors between 10am and midday at Parton Village Hall, Foundry Road, Whitehaven (CA28 6NY) on the following dates:

• Friday 10 February 2023.
• Friday 17 February 2023.
• Friday 24 February 2023.

Southern construction compound for the A595 Moresby improvement scheme
04 January 2023
Drop-in information sessions

Before work begins on the A595 at Moresby, we're inviting local residents to attend another series of drop-in sessions between 10am and midday at Parton Village Hall, Foundry Road, Whitehaven (CA28 6NY) on the following dates:
- Friday 6 January 2023.
- Friday 13 January 2023.
- Friday 20 January 2023.
- Friday 27 January 2023.
Our team will be available to answer your questions and provide information on our plans and their effect on traffic in the area.
30 November 2022
Keeping you informed

Before the first phase of our work on the A595 at Moresby begins, we're inviting local residents to attend a series of drop-in sessions between 10am and midday at Parton Village Hall, Foundry Road, Whitehaven (CA28 6NY) on the following dates:
- Friday 2 December 2022.
- Friday 9 December 2022.
- Friday 16 December 2022.
Our team will be on hand to provide information on the scheme including timeframes, traffic management and potential diversion routes. We’ll also answer any questions you may have about the scheme.
28 October 2022

Public information events

We would like to apologise for delays in the delivery of a recent scheme leaflet regarding our project work on the A595 at Moresby. This leaflet was sent out to promote a week of public engagement events in October.

It has become clear that the leaflet has, in some cases, arrived too late for the planned events. Our initial investigation indicates that there has been a failure with our external printing and postage supplier. This has been extremely frustrating for all involved and we reiterate my apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

We wish to make amends by arranging another set of public information events.

Future events

We welcome your attendance at any of the following events:

• Monday 7 November – The Beacon Museum, West Strand, Whitehaven CA28 7LY

• Wednesday 9 November – Cleator Moor Civic Hall & Masonic Centre, Jacktrees Road, Cleator Moor CA25 5AU

• Thursday 10 November – Gosforth Public Hall, Gosforth, Seascale CA20 1AS

• Friday 11 November – Workington Town Council Community Centre, Princess St, Workington CA14 2QG

There will be three drop-in sessions throughout the day: from 11am to 12pm, 2pm to 3pm and 6pm to 7pm.

As the project progresses there will be further opportunities to speak with the project team.
21 September 2022

Get to know our plans for the A595

Some of our team will be out and about in the community this month, so if you’d like to find out more about our A595 Moresby improvement scheme feel free to come and have a chat.

Public engagement sessions

We are also hosting the following public engagement sessions:

• Monday 3 October – Solway Hall Whitehaven, Lowther Street, Whitehaven CA28 7SH

• Wednesday 5 October – Cleator Moor Civic Hall & Masonic Centre, Jacktrees Road, Cleator Moor CA25 5AU

• Thursday 6 October – Gosforth Public Hall, Gosforth, Seascale CA20 1AS

• Friday 7 October – Workington Town Council Community Centre, Princess St, Workington CA14 2QG

• Friday 14 October - The Kirkgate Centre, Kirkgate, Cockermouth CA13 9PJ*

There will be three drop-in sessions throughout the day: from 11am to 12pm, 2pm to 3pm and 6pm to 7pm.

*Cockermouth presentation times from 11am to 12pm, 1pm to 2pm and 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

Microsoft Teams information events

If you are unable to attend one of our in-person information events, you can join one of our Microsoft Teams events where we’ll be presenting our plans and answering your questions.

To join one of our Microsoft Teams events, visit the links below on a computer, mobile or tablet device.

• Thursday 20 October – 6pm - 7pm – to join click on this Microsoft Teams link.

• Friday 21 October – 10am - 11am - to join click on this Microsoft Teams link.

If you’re joining from your mobile phone, please make sure you download the Microsoft Teams app through the app store for free.

See more updates

Project information

Over several years we have been monitoring localised areas of movement within the embankment supporting the A595.

We have now developed a scheme and secured the funding to be able to deliver a repair to the embankment and drainage which will allow us to improve and maintain the A595.

Work will be carried out in two phases.

The first phase of the work starting in late 2022 will mostly be off the road which will minimise the impact for road users. During this phase we will be building the embankment, installing new drainage and improving biodiversity in the area.

The second phase of the reconstruction will require a full road closure. Beneath the road and embankment there is a large gas pipeline which needs to be moved. We will be focussing on additional drainage improvements and completing the embankment work.

This phase of work cannot be carried out while the road is open for the safety of our workers and people who would be using the road.

Weekend closures are expected to be in place over 10 consecutive weekends, from 10pm Friday until 3am Monday, starting May 2023.

Howgate roundabout

A595 Howgate roundabout was constructed as part of the A595 Parton to Lillyhall improvement that was completed in 2009. As part of our work on the A595 at Moresby, we'll be making a series of upgrades to Howgate roundabout to improve safety and reduce congestion.

During the second phase of the work we will be:

installing new road signs
improving lane markings
constructing a 200 metre merge lane on the southbound exit

The scheme is split in to two phases

Phase One

Re-building Moresby Hall embankment using 25000m3 of material being delivered by ship into the Port of Workington
Constructing two drainage tunnels
Creating a drainage channel next to the A595 to capture surface water run off from the hillside above Parton
Installing two new large, open channels to control and regulate the flow of rain water
Creating a large pond to act as a filter to improve water quality before it enters the Lowca beck
Improving biodiversity by planting trees
New drainage system which will reduce the risk of flooding on the road

Phase Two

Diverting a major gas pipeline and BT fibre-optic cables
Installing a further 1300m of new drainage
Installing new kerb drainage
Improving the drainage into Rose Hill Junction
Constructing a new 200m merge lane on the southbound exit of Howgate roundabout
Full carriageway re-construction from Howgate roundabout to Pelican Garage
Completing the construction of the embankment

The work is being carried out to improve the condition of the A595 so road users can have a safer and smoother journey. The scheme aims to:

repair the embankment where there has been some slippage of the bank. Re-building Moresby Hall embankment by importing (25000m3 of material) by ship into the Port of Workington
improve biodiversity through the addition of new trees and introduction of species to the area
replace of existing drainage system
resurface the carriageway
reinstate road markings
reinstate road studs

A5086 Egremont to Cockermouth Road

The main diversion route during A595 weekend closures will be the A5086 Egremont to Cockermouth Road.

On-road parking on the A5086 will be prohibited from 8am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday, during the weekend closures. This is to ensure the diversion route remains clear for traffic in both directions.

There will be an exception for blue badge holders and 5-minute loading times will be permitted for all residents.

Local diversion routes

There will be a number of signed alternative routes for local traffic where a weight restriction of less than 7.5 tonnes will be in place. Please use the main diversion route (A5086) where possible.

There will be a number of areas in the region where vehicle access during the A595 weekend closures will be restricted to those living or working in the area only.

Permits have been issued to properties within these areas and these must be displayed on the dashboard or window of vehicles wishing to enter during the weekend closures.

Anyone living within a restricted area (click to see a map of the restricted areas) who has not received a letter with their permits should contact our team on 0300 123 5000 or email us at info@nationalhighways.co.uk

Access to public and recreational events within these areas will be permitted. Registered taxis and delivery vehicles will also be able to pick up and drop off within the restricted areas.

The scheme is close to several designated heritage sites including: Parton Roman Fort (Gabrosentum) World Heritage Site, the Grade I Listed Moresby Hall, and the Grade II Listed Church of St Bridget. We know that there have been Romans and Medieval sites in the area. We are working closely with Cumbria County Council and their historic environment service and have carried out archaeological surveys to identify any potential sites in our work area. We will continue to monitor for any archaeological finds as work progresses.