Bridge opens on £23.3m road project

The bridge was made partly with material removed to create the new A595 route

A £23.3m project to create a new section of road has reached a milestone with the opening of a new bridge.

The road crossing at Grizebeck, Cumbria, allows access to be maintained to the southern end of the village and the surrounding farmland over what will be a new section of the A595.

The 0.8-mile (1.3 km) section of road between Chapels and Grizebeck village is planned to ease congestion in the area.

Westmorland and Furness Council said the opening of the bridge means construction traffic can be separated from the road, reducing the need for traffic lights and delays.

"It's a key step towards a safer and more efficient route for everyone who relies on this vital connection," said Councillor Peter Thornton, cabinet member for highways.

Part of the bridge has been built reusing some of the 72,000 tonnes of material excavated while creating the new stretch of road.

The bridge crosses over a new 0.8 mile stretch of the A595 which is due to open in the summer

The roadworks are part of the Team Barrow programme, a partnership between the government, Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems to support the growth of the firm, which makes nuclear submarines.

Plans include widening the A595 at the northern end of Grizebeck to accommodate a new road junction, expected to open in the summer.