Safety improvements to dangerous Patrick Brompton road junction

The widening of the A684 at the crossroad junction to the west of Patrick Brompton will see the introduction of a right turn lane to allow vehicles to exit the road safely.

A splitter island will be installed on each of the side roads to ensure vehicles are approaching the junction at the correct angle to make a safe manoeuvre onto the A684.  A new 40mph speed limit will be introduced covering each of the approaches to the new road layout. Remedial works to the verge and embankment will also be carried out to improve visibility.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “We are pleased to be delivering safety improvement projects to the sum of £7.06m on the A684 from Leeming Bar to Junction 37 of the M6.

“It was one of four successful bids chosen for road safety improvements as part of the Government’s Safer Roads Fund, which seeks to address issues on the 50 A-roads identified as being the most dangerous in the country.

“We were delighted to receive this funding as we have a commitment to improving the infrastructure of some of our busiest link roads and making them as safe as they can be.”

The scheme will begin on Monday (July 12) and is expected to last for up to seven weeks. Work will take place daily between 7.30am and 5.30pm under a combination of road closures and temporary traffic signal control.

Brompton Road will be closed at the junction with the A684 in both directions with a signed diversion in place. Two-way temporary traffic lights will be in operation on the A684.

Local member Councillor Karin Sedgwick said: “The safety improvements on this section of the A684 are very welcome as the current layout of the junction poses many concerns. It is a busy A road so it’s vital we make it as safe as possible for all road users.

“We appreciate the duration of the works will cause a level of disruption but ask the public for their cooperation. We are listening to concerns raised by local farmers regarding the timing of their harvesting and movements of their crops that occur during this time. We are doing all we can to accommodate any extra measures needed to help them.”

Operatives working on site will be observing all Government guidelines on safe social distancing.