Cumbria County Council is currently carrying out the improvement works to fix a number of issues in the area. However, concerns have been raised by traders affected by the road closure which has been necessary to allow the work to be carried out. 

Therefore, to help businesses affected, Allerdale is offering two-hours free parking in its Bitterbeck and Riverside car parks. To take advantage of the initiative, visitors staying less than two hours should display a parking disc or their time of arrival. Parking discs are available from local shops or the Council's office in the library in the town's Main Street. Those people staying longer should still pay at the machine for the required time.  

The scheme will last for the duration of the works. 

Alan Smith, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council and a Cockermouth councillor said: "Whilst it is essential that the work in Market Place is carried out, we appreciate the upheaval the closure can cause to businesses. I'm really pleased that we can do what we can to help them out - I'd encourage people to do what they can to support those affected." 

A similar scheme proved popular when Main Street was closed for drainage works.