Cross-a-Moor junction set for go-ahead following long campaign by Lib Dem councillor

Low Furness councillor Janet Willis' long-running campaign for a new junction at Cross-a-Moor has taken a step closer to becoming reality. The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership agreed today to underwrite £1.7million of funding for the project, which Janet says will make the A590 at Cross-a-Moor much safer for local people.

Today it was announced that the Cumbria LEP will under-write a £1.7million funding commitment from the Cumbria Infrastructure Fund for the new junction. This sum will be re-paid through contributions that are secured from developers in the area. Finance for the project will also be provided by Highways England and South Lakeland District Council.

It is hoped that this announcement will enable work to take place in 2019.

Janet has been pushing for the new junction for many years, since the Cross-a-Moor site was included in the South Lakeland District Council Local Plan, meeting with former Transport Minister Susan Kramer to lobby on behalf of the project. Janet also provided £2000 from her County Council member's highways budget towards funding a feasibility study, as well pushing hard behind the scenes at meetings with the county and district councils and Highways England.

Janet said: "Everybody knows that the current junction is dangerous. I have campaigned for years for this project, and I am delighted that we have taken a major step forward with this announcement. The Cross-a-Moor project will make a real difference, improving safety on the A590. My focus now is to ensure that this project goes ahead as soon as possible."

Tim Farron MP said: "Janet works tirelessly to get the best deal for her area, and this announcement is a real tribute to her hard work over many years."