HIGHWAYS chiefs insist they will have roadworks on one of Carlisle’s busiest roads lifted as quickly as they can.

Drivers along Warwick Road have faced delays for months.

But there has been frustration in recent weeks at what appeared to be a lack of action surrounding Botcherby Bridge.

Agencies involved in works along Warwick Road - where work centres on improving water supplies - have been in talks about how to get restrictions for drivers lifted.

A United Utilities spokesman said: “Work had been suspended over the last two weeks due to Cumbria County Council’s lane closure at Botcherby Bridge. United Utilities has now been given the go-ahead to extend its working area from Greystone Road up to the Beehive pub, and this work is expected to take around a week.

“Temporary two-way traffic lights will then remain in place between Botcherby Bridge and Greystone Road for a further week to allow the new pipework to be tested.

“For safety reasons, there will be no vehicle access from Greystone Road onto Warwick Road during this period.”

An Environment Agency spokesman added: “We have granted a permit to Amey Utility Services Ltd that would allow open-cut trench excavation near the agency’s flood defence at Botcherby Bridge.

“The excavation work is associated with improvements to the drinking water supply system for Carlisle.

“This work is entirely separate to any proposed works for the Carlisle Flood Defence Scheme. We are confident that the environmental permit sets the right conditions to ensure that people and the environment are protected.”

The county council is hoping to get the road reopened as soon as possible. A spokesman said: “A technical review to determine the integrity of a small number of reinforced concrete beams is on going. This also includes consideration into what can be done to restart two-way-traffic over the bridge as soon as possible.”

Stephen Howgarth who lives off Warwick Road has had enough of the disruption and said: “There has been no work for weeks. It’s a nightmare.

“All the cars are just sat waiting for the traffic lights to change. There is a nursery there and it can’t be good for the children breathing in fumes.

“I walk along the road every day and, for the last two weeks, there has been no work done, it’s not good enough.”