The work is on a two-thirds-of-a-mile section of cycle track between Gilpin bridge and Stakes Moss in Cumbria.

It will bring the completion of the Walney to Wear (W2W) cycle route a major step closer.

The route was opened last June, but this section is one of a few sharing space with the national road network.

Tourism boost

As this section of the A590 is used by an average of 21,000 vehicles a day, with 7% of them heavy goods vehicles, the Highways Agency has prioritised the introduction of the cycle way as a safety measure.

Highways Agency project manager Peter Hamer said: "This section of the Walney to Wear cycle route is one of the few remaining where cyclists have to share road space on a high-speed section of the trunk road.

"When completed, cyclists and pedestrians will have a safe dedicated route along the trunk road corridor without conflict with high speed traffic.

"The Walney to Wear cycle route is part of the National Cycle Network... and we are delighted to be able to provide this missing link."

The project involves the construction of a new cycleway alongside the eastbound carriageway of the A590, as well as a new cycle bridge over the Levens main drainage channel.