Workington's new road bridge opens today
Last updated at 08:53, Wednesday, 21 April 2010
A plea has been made for motorists not to drive across Workington’s new temporary road bridge as soon as it opens today (Weds) – to avoid congestion.
New traffic arrangements will come into force with the opening of the new bridge.
The county council has said that although the bridge will be open from 10.30am drivers are being asked not to go to the bridge before the opening.
Cumbria Highways is asking drivers to try and stay away from the bridge area until 10.45am to avoid queuing traffic blocking the bridge and the surrounding roads.
The following Q&A should help answer any questions you may have regarding services following the bridge opening.
Public transport
Q: What changes will there be to buses once the temporary road bridge opens and when will these changes be effective from?
A: There will be a number of changes once the temporary road bridge opens:
30/31 Maryport – Workington – Whitehaven – Thornhill/Frizington
A through service will be resumed operating to a timetable and frequency similar to that provided prior to last November
Effective from: Thursday 22 April 2010
35 Workington – Seaton – Great Broughton - Cockermouth
A through service will be resumed to the timetable and frequency provided prior to last November
Effective from: Wednesday 21 April 2010 once temporary bridge opens
46 Workington - Salterbeck
The daytime service will be unchanged although there will be minor timetable changes to the evening and Sunday service.
Effective from: Wednesday 21 April 2010 once temporary bridge opens
47 Workington - Seaton
A 20 minute frequency service will be re-introduced, but there will be minor timetable changes to the evening and Sunday service and there will be changes to the route of the service:
It will run into and out of town via Station Road not Jane Street, and due to the one way traffic order on Northside Road will return from Seaton via Lowca Lane, Siddick and Dunmail Park. Passengers from Calva Brow/Seaton Road wishing to travel into town will have to travel via Seaton.
Effective from: Wednesday 21 April 2010 once temporary bridge opens
48 Workington - Northside
A service will resumed to a timetable similar to that provided prior to last November
Effective from: Wednesday 21 April 2010 once temporary bridge opens
50 Workington – Moorclose – Derwent Howe
Due to a new one way on Haverlock Road, the Service 50 will no longer run from Derwent Drive to the Viaduct. It will however continue to serve Derwent Howe and will run into town via Bessemer Way. There will also be some minor timetable changes to the evening and Sunday service
Effective from: Wednesday 21 April 2010 once temporary bridge opens
300/1 Carlisle – Maryport - Workington - Whitehaven
A through service will be resumed operating to a timetable and frequency similar to that provided prior to last November
Effective from: Thursday 22 April 2010
Q: How long will the free rail service last?
A: The rail service between Workington, Workington North, Flimby and Maryport will remain free until it ends on 28 May 2010.
Q: Where can I get more information on public transport?
A: For information on buses go to:
Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or www.traveline.info
For information on trains, go to:
National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or www.nationalrail.co.uk
School transport
Q: What school transport arrangements will be in place once the temporary bridge opens?
A: School transport will continue until the end of the academic year (July 2010) for entitled and non-entitled students.
Permanent solutions for Workington
Q: When will a decision be made about the replacement for Northside Bridge
A: We are currently examining and determining the options for Northside Bridge. We hope to have more detailed information next month.
Q: Has the decision been made if Workington (Calva) Bridge will be repaired or demolished?
A: Workington (Calva) Bridge is a Grade II listed structure. We have now finished our examination which has been analysed by a range of structural experts. It is most likely that we will be repairing the bridge, however, we are still going through the final approval stage.
Q: Who is are involved in the final approvals for Workington (Calva) Bridge?
A: Cumbria County Council and Connect Roads
Q: Do we have a date for the final approvals?
A: No, but it is imminent.
Q: Will the findings of the examination of Workington (Calva) Bridge including the programme and the method of the repair be explained to the community and the press?
A: Yes, it is our intention to hold an exhibition for the community and a briefing to journalists.
Navvies Footbridge / Barker Crossing - Temporary footbridge
Q: How long will Barker Crossing remain in place?
A: We are planning for Barker Crossing to be in place until Navvies footbridge re-opens. We expect this to be by the end of December 2010.
Q: When will you be starting work on replacing Navvies footbridge?
A: We are currently progressing with designs and we will then have to go through a procurement process, so we cannot confirm when work will start at the moment. However, we are targeting the end of December 2010 for the bridge to be open.
Q: Will there still be public transport is available to take me to and from Barker Crossing once the temporary road bridge opens?
A: Yes, service 100 will continue but there will be no evening service. The 100 travels from Northside and Seaton to a bus stop on Northside Road approximately every 30 minutes in the daytime. You will need to walk from the bus stop to the footbridge. We will be keeping this service under review.
There are a number of buses that will no longer go to Barker Crossing the day after the temporary road bridge opens:
Service 101 (Southside)
Service 30/31 (Northside)
Service 300 (Northside)
Q: Can taxis drop me off at the footbridge?
A: Taxis can currently drop people off at the footbridge (north and south side) at the following times:
Monday 7pm-Tuesday 7am
Tuesday 7pm-Wednesday 7am
Wednesday - until Thursday 7am
Thursday 7pm - Friday 7am
Friday 7pm - Saturday 7am
Saturday 7pm - Sunday 10am
Sunday 5pm - Monday 7am
Taxis will not be permitted to drop people off at the footbridge outside these times. This will be reviewed once the temporary road bridge opens.
First published at 11:21, Friday, 16 April 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Some people really just like moaning. There is now a road bridge across the river. Use it and quit moaning people, its better than the alternative that we've put up with for months!
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Have your say
Having read through all the comments so far I am surprised at how folk are being shocked at the actions of the councils.
Seems people have forgotten all the rubbish spouted off by these 'experts' in the councils regarding the site of a temporary bridge and who would build it. (Definition of an expert is a drip under pressure)The massive delays caused by the stupidity of putting the bridge out to tender.The army could have had this bridge up and running many months ago.It has been pointed out already the media circus and the councillors photo opportunities, however there would not have been too much attention to the back slapping waste of space councils/councillors had the army been given the task.
Posted by eddy on 26 April 2010 at 09:18