COUNCIL chiefs look set to put £300,000 towards a major project to install a multi-million junction on one of the area's arterial roads.

If approved, the cash would be used to help cover some of the expense involved in developing a new traffic scheme for the A590 at Cross-a-Moor, near Ulverston.

The proposed £6 million junction is seen as essential if land allocated for around 1,012 new homes in the south of the town, near to Croftlands, is to be developed within the next nine years.

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Officials at South Lakeland District Council have recommended members of the authority's cabinet committee agree to pay the sum to Cumbria County Council so the new highways improvement scheme - which would see a roundabout constructed to the south of the A590, near to Main Road and Pennington Lane, can move forward.

A report to district council decision-makers states: "The delivery of junction capacity improvement is vital to ensure the successful completion of housing development in Swarthmoor and South Ulverston, on sites allocated to meet housing and affordable housing need in the South Lakeland Local Plan. 

"While a proportion of homes on allocated sites can proceed in advance of the proposed junction improvement scheme, the new infrastructure will be essential to ensure all homes are developed by 2025."

It adds: "The improvements will increase vehicle capacity and reduce delays on the A590 Ulverston Trunk Road, Main Road and Pennington Lane."

The estimated cost of the new junction is £6,148,800.

It is hoped funding can be secured from a number of organisations including £3 million from Cumbria's Local Enterprise Partnership and £2.5 million from Highways England's growth and housing fund.

Ulverston councillor Mark Wilson described the scheme was good news for the area.

"I can see this would help to support the regeneration of south Ulverston as well as helping to ease the logjam of traffic along the A590," he said.

"However, it could bring with it some other problems, such as extra vehicles using Swarthmoor Lane, which will need to be looked at."

South Lakeland's local plan includes three linked sites in the area for future housing developments; Nook Farm, Croftlands East and Gascow Farm.

If all proposed homes are constructed, they are estimated to generate about £120,000 in annual council tax income and at least £700,000 in New Homes Bonus to SLDC.