Motorists who use a major north Cumbrian road are set to face weeks of misery as maintenance works are carried out.

A six-mile stretch of the A7, between junction 44 of the M6 and Longtown, will be shut for about five weeks as Cumbria County Council highways officers carry out essential repairs and maintenance.

The closure will only be in operation between 7pm and 6am to limit disruption.

But it means that people who need to get in and out of Longtown and the villages of Westlinton, Blackford and Harker are likely to face delays or detours as work continues.

A county council spokesman said: “This will be a rolling closure with various sections being closed at any one time along the length of road. Suitable alternative routes for vehicles will be signed and available, as and when the relevant traffic signs are displayed.

“A way for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will be maintained at all times.”

The council says the resurfacing work is expected to begin on June 27 and should be complete by the end of July.

Val Tarbitt, who represents Longtown on the county council and lives along the A7 herself, says the repairs are vital but residents need to know more detail about what work will be happening where and when.


Val Tarbitt “The A7 just has to be resurfaced. Everyone has complained about the surface from the border through into Carlisle.

“It’s pretty criminal in places with craters and so on. It has to be done,” she said.

“But when they get into residential areas there’s going to be an issue, especially with parking.

“When the work is going on some people won’t be able to park where they normally do which will displace some vehicles.

“The noise and lights from the work are also going to be difficult to handle. Also we don’t know what stage it’s going to be done in.”

Keith Little, the county council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “This essential road maintenance work will replace worn-out sections of the A7 with a new, hard-wearing surface, making journeys much smoother for drivers.

“Parts of the road will need to be closed to allow these works to be done safely, and much the resurfacing will be done overnight when the road is quieter.

“We’re working closely with our contractor to try to minimise the impact of the works but there will inevitably be some disruption and we apologise for any inconvenience.

“We would ask drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys during this period.”