THREE million pounds has been secured for the creation of a roundabout on the A590 that will pave the way for hundreds of new Furness homes.

The money will be used to upgrade the existing junction at Cross-a-Moor, near Ulverston, and help create a new four-arm roundabout costing just over £5 million.

The scheme will provide improved access to a 106 home development in the area which was recently given planning permission. It will also unlock three further sites with the potential to deliver 895 new properties in the future.

Highways England announced that the cash is to be allocated from the Government's Growth and Housing Fund. A further £2 million has come from third-party match funding which will include £1.7 million of private funding and £300,000 from South Lakeland District Council.

Detailed design work will now begin and dialogue with local landowners undertaken.

“I’m delighted with this announcement," said Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport. "We’ve worked closely with the LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership), South Lakeland District Council and Highways England on this bid and it’s encouraging to see that paying off.

"If the county is to meet the demands of a growing population we need our vital infrastructure to be able to cope. This new roundabout will make big difference as this new housing is developed.”

Cllr Janet Willis, local member for Low Furness and Cabinet Member for Customers, Transformation and Fire and Rescue, said: "I have been campaigning for improvements to this junction for many years and it’s great to see that paying off. This should significantly reduce the number of accidents at this spot, and the disruption caused to local people when the road has to be closed as a result. I look forward to works getting underway."

Cllr Graham Vincent, South Lakeland District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy and Assets, said: “The council’s contribution to the junction improvements demonstrates our commitment to support growth in the local economy, deliver new employment opportunities and improve the lives of people living in this area.

“We have a key council commitment to help create 1,000 new affordable homes for rent in South Lakeland by 2025. The housing being planned for that area of Ulverston represents about 20 per cent of all the new homes to be built in the entire district.

“The improvements at Cross-a-Moor will be a critical component, improving accessibility and helping SLDC to support and deliver its wider plans and ambitions.”

Graham Haywood, Director of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is an important investment which will help enable and accelerate the delivery of 1,000 new homes. It's also another key milestone in the development and improvement of the A590 and is part of our overall transport infrastructure strategy for the area.

"Road improvements like this are crucial for safety and for keeping key routes between business and employment hubs fit for purpose. The A590 is of major importance to employers like BAE Systems and GlaxoSmithKline at Ulverston to ensure better strategic connectivity to the M6 corridor, attract new investment and support business growth.”