AFTER almost 30 years of tireless campaigning by villagers fed up with heavy traffic, a major new road for South Lakeland and Furness is open.

Champagne corks were popping in High and Low Newton this week as residents welcomed the completion of the multi-million pound A590 bypass.

It is hoped 90 per cent of traffic will be removed from the villages, returning them to their traditional rural settings without as many as 14,000 lorries and cars passing through every day.

A special commemorative buffet lunch was put on for villagers on Tuesday in Newton-in-Cartmel Village Hall, and speaking on behalf of the community, High Newton resident Jim Dixon said: "There is a feeling of celebration in the village that the road is now open.

"It is important because of the removal of the traffic through the village - that is the main issue. High Newton has been virtually two villages, one either side of the main road, and we hope that now it will be a united village again, though that will obviously take time.

"Once the trees have grown, the bypass itself will eventually look magnificent with the Lakeland fells in the distance."

Lifelong - and oldest - High Newton resident Mary Long, 90, cut the first sod of turf to mark the beginning of the project in 2006, with one of the youngest residents, Claire Fletcher, and they were on hand again to help cut the ribbon to officially open the road.

Mrs Long said: "It used to be quiet in the old days but has got more and more busy. It's been very dangerous.

"This will be a lot better for us. I'll be able to stop and have a chat with friends - you couldn't do that before because you couldn't hear each other over the traffic."

Thirteen-year-old Claire, of High Newton, added: "The new bypass means I will be able to see more of my friends that live on the other side of the village as I will be able to cross the road by myself."

Contractors Laing O'Rourke and the Highways Agency have tried to blend the £35.3 million dual carriageway, which stretches 2.3 miles from Lindale bypass to Barrow Banks, into the surroundings, building more than five miles of dry stone walling and planting 51,000 native trees and shrubs.

Black Beck Hall, home to up to 20 pipistrelle bats, had to be demolished to make way for a section of the road, but the colony was rehoused at a nearby pigsty.

Archie Robertson, Highways Agency chief executive, said: "The new bypass will improve journey time reliability for road users, as well as increasing safety for both local residents and travellers. Villagers can once again enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful part of Cumbria.

The agency has been keen to involve the local community in the project, and earlier this year pupils from nearby Cartmel Priory School buried a time capsule, containing various items including a school jumper, toys, and a mobile phone, on the site.

Eight youngsters returned to hold the ceremonial ribbon as it was cut.

Head teacher Sarah Firth said: "The children were really, really excited about this. They have been involved in it from day one and are looking forward to travelling on it with their families.

"Probably for the rest of their lives, they will remember that they helped to open the road."