A595 Parton to Lillyhall

The A595 between Parton and Lillyhall is an important part of the trunk road network connecting West Cumbria and the towns of Whitehaven and Workington with the M6 motorway at Penrith via the A66. The existing road carries more than 17,000 vehicles a day, and passes through several local communities. The road is narrow and winding with a high number of junctions and is heavily congested. 

The proposed route is 5.1km long, starting at the A596 junction at Lillyhall. This junction is being brought up to dual carriageway standard to the junction with the A597. A new bypass is being built to the west of the existing road, bypassing the villages of Distington, Common End and Howgate before rejoining the A595 north of Parton.

The scheme involves the construction of five structures and three roundabouts, two online and one offline. Combined footways/cycleways are being constructed alongside the bypass for substantial lengths of the scheme. Significant liaison has been required with a number of utilities with extensive statutory undertaker diversions necessary.

The discovery of greater crested newts, badgers, otters, bats and owls led to an increased requirement for ecological mitigation. Combined badger and otter crossings were incorporated in the design and a hybrid fencing solution included on the highway boundary, which took account of established animal movements. A hardened central reserve was provided on a known barn owl foraging route, and an innovative bat guidance bridge was developed where the bypass discontinues existing woodland. Advance works were undertaken to provide a new habitat for greater crested newts.

There are a number of surface water features affected by the scheme, including the Distington/Lowca Beck which is classified as a main river. Culverts have been constructed where the scheme crosses existing watercourses and a new bridge has been constructed at the Lowca Beck crossing.

 
Client: Highways Agency
Value: £30 million
Duration: Six years (works will be completed in 2008)
Location: West Cumbria



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