£27.3million road investment announced for Cumberland
A dedicated fund for residential and rural roads introduced for the first time
Cumberland Council has confirmed how it will allocate £27.3million in highways maintenance funding from the Department for Transport for 2026/27.
The funding includes a new £2.85million pot dedicated to residential streets and minor rural roads. This marks the first time Cumberland Council has allocated a fund specifically for these areas.
The council aims to address the deterioration of unclassified roads, often raised in public reports and highlighted through inspections. This maintenance is part of efforts to tackle issues which contributed to Cumberland’s recent red rating for highway maintenance performance issued by the Department for Transport.
In addition to the residential and rural focus, almost 200 unclassified roads and 250 classified roads are set to be improved under the programme over the next four years. Further funding will also go towards bridges, road lighting, footways and cycleways, traffic signals, and the public rights of way network.
Targeting highway issues
Cllr Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, encouraged residents to report road issues via the council's website.
"It is fantastic news that Cumberland Council has secured £27.348 million in highways maintenance funding, and for the first time, we have created a dedicated £2.85 million fund specifically to improve residential and minor rural roads," Rollo said.
"Our inspectors are out on the network daily, but we still rely on our communities to help us identify problems. If you spot a defect, whether it’s a pothole, broken streetlight or damaged sign, please report it through our website. There is a button on the homepage called ‘Report a problem with a street or road,’ click it and report it, and only takes around five minutes. Once it’s logged, we can assess it and plan repairs."
Changes to speed limits
The announcement also included details of new and amended speed limits ahead of the connection to the Carlisle Southern Link Road. These changes, set for 15th September 2026, include:
A new 30mph limit on Wigton Road in Carlisle.
Reduction of existing 40mph to 30mph on parts of Dalston Road and Peter Lane.
New 40mph limits on sections of Dalston Road, Burbank Road, and Ivegill Road.
Reduction of 40mph to 30mph on parts of Buckabank Road and Durdar Road.
Introduction of 30mph limits on Scalegate Road, Newbiggin Road, and Burthwaite Road.
New and adjusted 30mph and 40mph limits on Brisco Road.
A Traffic Regulation Order introducing no waiting at any time in several locations in Maryport has also been approved.