The A66 on the eastern side of Workington is scheduled to close for the entire weekend from 6.30pm on Friday 11 September until 6am on Monday 14 September 2026. The closure between Ramsay Brow and Stainburn Roundabout is part of National Highways resurfacing work and comes on the same weekend as Workington''s Festival of Curious Things.
This weekend''s A66 closure
- Closes: 6.30pm Friday 11 September
- Reopens: scheduled for 6am Monday 14 September
- Section: Ramsay Brow to Stainburn Roundabout
- Signed diversion: A595 and A596
- Reason: resurfacing and associated maintenance
National Highways warns that planned closures can change at short notice. Check the live position before setting off.
Where is the A66 closed?
The affected section is at the Workington end of the A66, between Ramsay Brow and Stainburn Roundabout. It is not a closure of the entire A66 across Cumbria.
The official signed local diversion uses the A595 and A596. Follow the yellow diversion signs rather than allowing sat-nav to send you onto unsuitable local roads.
Festival of Curious Things is still taking place
Festival of Curious Things is scheduled in Workington town centre on Saturday 12 September from 10am to 5pm. The A66 works are a travel disruption, not an announcement that the festival is cancelled.
The event itself also has separate town-centre traffic restrictions. Murray Road and Finkle Street are affected from 8pm on Friday 11 September until 7pm on Saturday 12 September, with Finkle Street parking suspended and a local diversion around the event footprint.
That means festival visitors driving from the east should plan for both the National Highways A66 diversion and the event''s town-centre closures.
Best way to approach Workington
If your normal route enters Workington on the A66, allow extra time and follow the signed A595/A596 diversion. Do not try to bypass the closure through residential streets or minor lanes.
Once close to the centre, use the festival''s signed traffic management and choose an established public car park before reaching Murray Road. See the Festival of Curious Things parking and road-closure guide for the event-specific detail.
Further September A66 weekend closures
The 11-14 September closure is not the final planned weekend. National Highways currently also lists:
- Friday 18 September 6.30pm to Monday 21 September 6am
- Friday 25 September 6.30pm to Monday 28 September 6am
These dates form part of the same Ramsay Brow to Stainburn Roundabout maintenance programme. The schedule can still change because of weather, progress or operational needs.
How noisy will the work be?
National Highways says the weekend closures allow resurfacing and related work to continue, with noisy activity scheduled to finish by 11pm each night.
If you are staying close to the roadworks, ask your accommodation about access and noise rather than assuming every property in Workington is affected equally.
What about buses and local traffic?
Road-based services may need to follow temporary routing. Check the operator''s live information on the day, particularly if you need a specific connection rather than simply travelling into central Workington.
The town remains accessible. The practical issue is extra journey time and altered approaches.
Official update
Check National Highways'' North West maintenance schedule.
Information checked 10 September 2026. Recheck on Friday afternoon because National Highways can alter closures at short notice.
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