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frequently asked questions


Q1.	Will it happen?
	The public sector, through the North West Development Agency, has already invested several million pounds in preparation work, and the regeneration of Barrow Port features as a specific action in their Regional Economic Strategy. Without this investment, the economic future of Barrow is far less secure. So, yes, it will happen. The Business Parks are only part of a larger regeneration master plan, a picture of which can be seen elsewhere on this site.

Q2.	What about the disruption to local residents?
	The project team recognise the real concerns of local residents during the construction (which will take place in stages over several years). There have been extensive consultations with residents of Barrow Island, and there is an active Liaison Committee where these concerns are discussed and acceptable means of addressing them derived.

Q3.	What about the increase in vehicles?
	Once again, this has been recognised, and measures have been proposed and accepted by local planners as a condition to granting approval. For example, all stone infill is being brought in by sea, at an extra cost of over £700,000. Vehicle movements will be closely monitored and controlled, speed limits will be introduced, and specified operating hours introduced outside of which there will be no site traffic.

Q4.	What about the new road that was promised?
	It has always been, and is still, the intention to construct a new access road into the north west of the site. This is subject to land being acquired for the new road, and this is still on-going. However, the team have given an undertaking to planners that there will be no development beyond Ramsden Business Park until a new road is constructed. Once this is completed, there will be extensive landscape improvements to Ramsden Dock Road, which will become a cul-de-sac, and only a pedestrian access into the Business Parks.

Q5.	Won't this increase traffic?
	As a condition of the planning application, extensive studies of predicted traffic have been required by planners, and this is taken into consideration when granting approval. In addition, the implications of traffic flow around the rest of Barrow have been extensively studied, and this is the reason that the Tesco roundabout was enlarged (funded by West Lakes Renaissance). There will also be improvements to the road, and a re-routing of traffic, along Walney Road and Ironworks Road commencing in the next few months. As the Marina and Marina Village develop, there will be other road junction improvements along Salthouse Road at the northern edge of the Marina Village.

Q6.	What advantages are there to local residents?
	In addition to the local employment prospects that will be created in the business parks (over 1500 new jobs in 10 years), there will be extensive footpaths, cycle-ways, landscaping, and other public amenities created through and around the site, taking advantage of its unique location. These will also link to the new footbridge which will connect to the Marina and Marina Village, and will thus create a pleasant pedestrian route right into the town centre, along with a quick ready access to the new amenities around the improved Cavendish Dock.

Q7.	How can I get involved?
	By feeding back any comments or concerns through the Cumbria County Council Neighbourhood Forum, or through the Barrow Island Liaison Committee. Job opportunities on the construction site will appear on the appropriate pages of this web site as they arise. By contacting the project team through this web site expressing your concerns, support, or any other comments. By asking questions that can be answered through this FAQ section of the web site.

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