WORK is set to start on a long-awaited speed restriction measures on Walney next month.

After continuous setbacks as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the speed restrictive measures on Biggar Bank Road is finally set to be put in place next month.

The requirement for action came after residents regularly complained about foot-to-the-floor motorists going down the long stretch of road during the late hours.

Back in 2019 the Cumbria County Council scheme, costing around £20,000, was officially been given the go-ahead by Barrow Local Committee.

The aim behind the measures was to break up the long straight of Biggar Bank Road where racers heavily accelerate as the road speed switches between 30mph and 60mph. It was originally thought the new scheme could be installed by the end of the year, but now two years on, it is set to finally go ahead.

County councillor for South Walney Frank Cassidy has been a big supporter of the measures and has backed the works from the get-go, and even campaigned for the measures to be put in place to county council highways bosses.

"It is going to be another two or three weeks now before the next set of works begin," he said.

"Due to a delay in parts being delivered to the manufacturer as a result of Covid, it has taken longer for the bumps."

A chicane and speed bumps are to be installed which Cllr Cassidy said would make things safer for residents and all who use the area.

Delays around the Christmas period in 2019 meant the work was set for early 2020, but when the coronavirus pandemic arrived and the world stopped, priorities changed for Cumbria County Council's highways team, meaning this project was put on the backburner.

The original plan was for the measures to put the brakes on drivers were to come in three phases. The first was the implementation of a new speed limit following a statutory consultation with residents about the new speed limit before new signs are installed.

The county council installed special devices outside an address on Ocean Road and West Shore Social Club in 2018 to monitor the amount of traffic over the course of a week.

It showed 85 percent of drivers were travelling at 32mph or below at both sites.

The study showed that more cars tended to accelerate when travelling towards The Roundhouse restaurant on Ocean Road and towards Thorny Nook Lane on Biggar Bank Road.