Frustrated users of the A596 may welcome news of the latest speed restrictions near Aspatria.

A temporary limit of 40mph is in place but it is because work is finally beginning on repairs to the Heathfield railway bridge.

The bridge was damaged almost two years ago after a car crashed into it.

The result has been traffic controls which have caused anger and frustration for regular users of the road, especially those who commute to Carlisle for work.

The delays have been caused by issues surrounding the fact that this is a railway bridge with its own set of safety rules and insurance issues.

Trying to gain more support to get the bridge work completed was Workington MP Mark Jenkinson, who appeared in Westminster raising the issue on behalf of constituents.

He said: “It’s nearly two years since the Heathfield bridge was struck and it remains down to one lane.

“I asked the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, if he would work with me and stakeholders to ensure that work on the bridge becomes a priority – and that we never allow ridiculously long closures like that to happen again.”

The transport secretary agreed to work with Mr Jenkinson to have this issue resolved; however, members of the public were still struggling to believe it would happen.

Mr Jenkinson added: “The problem lies in getting an agreement between Cumbria County Council, their private contractor that has responsibility the entire length of that road, and Network Rail for track possession.”

Heathfield Railway Bridge, just outside of Aspatria, was damaged in November 2018.

The A596 was closed for a number of days after a car crashed into the wall.

The road reopened later that week following completion of emergency repairs with traffic lights and a 40mph temporary speed limit in place.

This speed limit has now been in place almost two years and is causing unnecessary congestion.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “Works to repair the masonry parapet on Heathfield Railway Bridge, which was damaged as a result of a single-vehicle road traffic collision, will commence in November 2020.

“Scaffolding will be required to create a safe working platform for the damaged parapet to be rebuilt and to protect the railway line below and this will be erected over five separate nights commencing Saturday, November 7 2020.

“Once the scaffolding is in place, repairs to the parapet will be carried out over an estimated period of three weeks.

“The scaffolding platform will be dismantled and removed over two further weekend nights.

“It is anticipated that the repair will be complete and the temporary traffic signals removed by early December.”