Story Contracting is proud to share that the new A595 Grizebeck bypass opened to traffic on Sunday 2nd August, bringing the A595 Grizebeck Improvement Scheme into operation on behalf of Westmorland and Furness Council.
The new 1.4km single carriageway road bypasses the well-known bottlenecks at Dove Bank and Dove Ford Farm, providing a safer and more reliable route for residents, businesses and visitors. The scheme was funded by the Department for Transport, Westmorland and Furness Council and Team Barrow.
The opening follows almost two years of intensive construction activity, with the Story team delivering a significant programme of earthworks, drainage, structures and surfacing works. This has included excavating and processing 100,000m³ of material on site, installing 4,500m of drainage, laying 22,250m² of surfacing and planting more than 31,000 trees, shrubs and hedgerows.
Alongside the new road alignment, the project has seen the construction of a new road bridge, a new underpass, two new culverts, the extension of the existing Ellermire Bridge culvert and the creation of a new junction at Grizebeck. Extensive earthworks have also been carried out at Penn Hill Cutting as part of the scheme.
Ahead of the road opening, members of the local community were invited to take part in a community walk, giving residents the opportunity to experience the new route before it opened to traffic.
The event allowed people of all ages to walk along the bypass while hearing directly from the project team about the engineering works that have gone into the scheme. Along the route, visitors were able to see key features up close, including the new road bridge, clad in locally sourced Burlington stone, and a range of environmental enhancements delivered as part of the project.
Andy Clode, Managing Director of Story’s Construction Division, said: “We are very proud to have delivered this project on behalf of the council, and delighted that it is handed back on time and on budget.
“We have also been able to employ and train local people, held STEM sessions in schools and used several local companies in our supply chain. We would like to thank the community for their understanding and support during the construction phase of this landmark project”.
Cllr Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and ICT, said: “It is wonderful to see this new road opening and significantly improving journeys for the many motorists using this busy route.
“To deliver a successful scheme like this requires lots of things to come together. The support of the community has been key, in particular the early campaigners on the A595 Action Group. The project has benefitted from clear aims, objectives and effective planning, politicians have worked together across party lines to support the scheme, we’ve worked with an excellent contractor and last, but not least, we have secured sufficient funding to make it happen.
“All this has happened on this project and I’d like to pay tribute to the local community and local businesses for their patience and support during the construction process and to Cllr Matt Brereton, the local Westmorland and Furness councillor, who has been a great link and advocate during the process.
“With the help of that effective co-operation and collaboration we have delivered this major scheme on time and on budget, which is a tremendous achievement.’’
Peter Anstiss, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Investment for Team Barrow, said: “This is fantastic news for the communities, businesses and everyone who relies on the A595. Improving transport connectivity is a key enabler within Team Barrow’s 10-year plan, and investments such as this are vital to supporting economic growth, unlocking future investment opportunities and ensuring the safe, reliable movement of people and goods to and from Barrow. This project demonstrates the significant role that transport improvements will play in helping us realise our long-term ambitions for the area.”
As part of the programme, the council and Story Contracting also invited local charities, schools and community groups to apply for volunteer support for environmentally focused projects, to create lasting benefits for local communities and to demonstrate the scheme’s commitment to delivering social value beyond the construction works.
This resulted in more than 350 volunteering hours being allocated to a range of projects, including helping to redevelop a community allotment on behalf of Self-Harm Awareness for All, and carrying out improvements to outdoor learning and play areas at Burlington Primary School.
