First of their kind cycle paths to be built in Barrow

Cumbria County Council in partnership with Barrow Borough Council have developed a Local Cycling Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Barrow, with the Active Travel Fund providing the first funding investment to start delivering the plan.

The first project confirmed will be to build two new direct cycle paths along Bridge Road and Michaelson Road.

The cycle paths will be the first of their kind in Cumbria, with innovative light segregation that will improve cyclist safety and improve pedestrian safety, with an additional crossing and improvements to existing crossings.  Both will be designed according to the Department for Transport's guidelines.

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Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This is an exciting time for the people of Barrow.

"It’s the county council’s ambition to get more people out cycling and walking for leisure and for everyday short journeys. This not only benefits our health and wellbeing but also the environment in terms of air quality and a reduction in our carbon emissions.

“The new cycle paths on Bridge Road and Michaelson Road will provide a safe route which we know is vital to encourage more people to choose cycling to get about town.”

A successful application to the Department for Transport, resulted in the county council being awarded £886,000 funding in November 2020, allowing the Bridge Road and Michaelson Road cycle paths to be the first projects to come to fruition.

The project will be completed under temporary roadworks along the route of Bridge Road and Michaelson Road so that journeys can continue with little disruption.

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Alan Boyle, Construction Director at Story Contracting, said: “We are proud to have been appointed to work with Cumbria County Council to complete the construction of the new cycle paths, which will help bring additional safety and accessibility to the town’s cyclists.”

“We look forward to working with our key supply chain to deliver this project to support the council in their promotion of health and wellbeing in Barrow, while also reducing carbon emissions by promoting more sustainable travel in the town.”