Farron calls on minister to listen to local residents over A590

South Lakes MP, Tim Farron, has called on Transport Minister, Mike Penning, to take into account the recent consultation of local residents about the A590 when he makes his visit to the Lake District.

The Highways Agency last week published its interim report on the Route Management of the A590 which outlined the views expressed by local residents at the consultation which took place on November 16 2011. The interim report records feedback on the A590 under the four specific route sections: M6-Meathop; Meathop to Newby Bridge; Newby Bridge to Ulverston; and Ulverston to Park Road.

Among the concerns raised were problems over the junction at the top of the Lindale bypass to Cartmel, (coming from Cartmel and joining the A590) where a short entry slip road and a difficult junction makes it difficult for manoeuvres due to angle of entry, a need for a reduction in the speed limit to 50mph along the Newby Bridge to Ulverston section and the need for traffic signals at London Road/ Green Junction to help right turning traffic join the A590.

The next stage for the Highways agency will be to work out whether any issues that remain can be addressed through the current spending programme. They will then look into the issues raised at the consultation to assess whether they are known issues of new issues that may also require further work.

Tim has long been campaigning for better funding to improve the safety along the A590 where a series of tragic accidents over the past few years have lead to deaths that could have been avoided.

Commenting this afternoon Tim said: "This report is an important step in the right direction towards helping to make the A590 safer. Giving residents the chance to highlight their concerns is the best way to find out where the problems are.

"Now it is essential that both the Highways Agency and the Transport Minister, Mike Penning, listen to local people and prepare to take real affirmative action to protect drivers, cyclists and pedestrians along a road that has seen too many tragedies in the recent past."

Local resident and campaigner Sue Sanderson further added: "The A590 divides our communities in an area of increasing local housing and tourist attractions. The speed and volume of traffic on the road creates considerable hazards particularly for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles that have to access the local villages and hamlets. There have been a number of tragic accidents we must do everything we can to prevent.

"Ideally a major trunk road should not go through such a sensitive area, but that is the situation we find ourselves in. Essential improvements must be made such as a speed limit, more consideration for cyclists etc. Local people's views have to be taken into account; we are the ones who travel on this road every day."