Work on a Highways Agency scheme to cut accidents along a popular tourist route in Cumbria is to begin on Saturday.

Average speed cameras, normally used to reduce speed through roadworks, are being installed permanently for the first time anywhere along the A66 to ensure road users comply with the existing 50mph speed limit along the westbound carriageway at Bassenthwaite Lake.

The fixed cameras are being installed on a 1.75 mile section of the westbound carriageway between Keswick and Cockermouth in the Lake District.

Around 12,000 vehicles, including 1,400 heavy goods vehicles, use the westbound carriageway each day.  In just over three years between April 2004 and December 2008 there were 25 incidents along the road involving injuries to road users.

The scheme will provide the safety cameras with associated infrared lighting, signing, safety barrier and communications equipment near the start and end of the dual carriageway section.

The work to install the new safety system is scheduled to be completed by the end of February and involves a temporary closure of the westbound carriageway using one of the two eastbound lanes as a contraflow lane.

A temporary 50mph speed restriction will be in place in both directions.  Eastbound lay-bys and gaps in the central reserve will be closed with right-turn manoeuvres banned at Beck Wythop junction. 

The eastbound dual carriageway, which has the national speed limit, will be unaffected by the changes once the work is completed.

Highways Agency Project Sponsor Phil Davies said, “Permanent safety cameras on the strategic road network are few and far between and we only ever employ them for safety reasons.   

“The westbound speed limit through this section of the A66 is already 50 mph but we are having to introduce the cameras to ensure compliance with this limit with the aim of reducing accidents.

“Accidents here are not only unacceptably high in terms of personal injuries but they also cause considerable disruption to travellers and local communities when they happen – shutting off the whole of the A66 in this area so emergency staff and maintenance crews can get to the scene.”

---

Bookmark with: what are these?