HE to address flooding problems on A590

Highways England will start work to address problems with flooding along the A590 in Cumbria this weekend.

A key feature of the Highways England scheme will be to install a large drain across the carriageway to funnel and channel away run-off water from the A590. Existing drainage will also be replaced with new kerb drains and gullies.

Highways England is still working on securing a permanent solution to the issue which sees the A590, east of Lindal-in-Furness near Ulverston, regularly flood in severe weather. The new drainage improvements taking place this month will help to tackle the problem and will become part of a bigger scheme in the future.

During last December’s storms, temporary traffic lights had to be deployed several times to help drivers pass the flooded carriageway.

The flooding is caused by a combination of factors including a carriageway dip and water from several sources, including the local road network, collecting on the A590.

Highways England project manager Peter Gee said: “We are acutely aware this issue is a long-running concern for local people and other regular users of the A590, and we’re as keen as anyone to provide a permanent solution.

“While we have investigated and discounted a number of remedial options over the last few years, we are now in sight of developing a permanent fix. In the meantime, these drainage improvements will not only help provide some temporary relief but also contribute to a long-term solution.”