Two Penrith roads will close to through traffic for around seven weeks for gas works to be carried out.
From February 22, vehicles will be banned from using Sandgate from its junction with Albert Street, for about 70m and the town’s Albert Street, from its junction with Sandgate to its junction with Hunter Lane.
Cumbria County Council has confirmed access will be maintained to Penrith’s COVID-19 testing facility near the town’s bus depot.
It is anticipated that the restriction will only be required for seven weeks and only as and when the relevant traffic signs are displayed.
A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “While these works are being carried out under a temporary road closure, Northern Gas Networks have confirmed that it is possible for them to still maintain vehicular access to the bus station and Sandgate car park which is being use as the COVID testing facility, which will operate as a one-way system.
“They originally applied for their work to be carried out under a one-way system, however as the section of carriageway via the car park and bus station is privately maintained, without written landowner consent, Cumbria Highways could not legally diverted traffic along this route.
“Therefore it was agreed that a road closure would be put in place with an exemption for those vehicles requiring access to the bus station and Sandgate car park.
“The duration for these works are approximately seven weeks, however Northern Gas anticipate that for the first three weeks of the works they will not be affecting this junction as the majority of the works will be in the narrow section of Albert Street.
“Northern Gas Networks will arrange for special signs to be displayed along with the standard diversion signage stating ‘access to the testing facility, car park and bus station is maintained’.
“Northern Gas will also be liaising with the testing facility and bus station once work commences.”
