MP welcomes Minister to Cumbria for Crisis A590 talks

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today welcomed the news that roads minister Mike Penning has agreed to come to Cumbria and hold talks about safety on the A590.

Research from the Economic and Social Data Service released recently shows that from 1999-2010 117 people have died on the roads in South Lakeland, many of those on the A590. Last week, two cars were involved in an incident with cyclist Geoff Davis from Kendal, who tragically died later in hospital.

After a meeting with Barrow MP John Woodcock MP in October, Tim invited transport ministers to come and visit the area, meet local residents and see for themselves the issues on the ground. Tim would like to talk to the government about problem areas, such as theGilpin Bridge and Foulshaw Lane junctions at Levens and the crash-ridden Greenodd junction.

Mother-of-two, Michelle Jurd died on November 4, 2009, when her car crashed into the side of a 30-tonne fairground lorry which had pulled out of a side road on to the A590 at the Foulshaw Lane junction. In October Judge Barbara Forrester, called on highways bosses to consider improving the 'notorious' junction.

Commenting today Tim said: "Making sure that we increase safety along the A590 is an urgent priority. This is why I have invited transport ministers up to the South Lakes to come and meet the highways agency, parish councils and members of the public and hear from them.

"We must push forward improvements at the Gilpin Bridge junction, get swift action to build the Greenodd roundabout and take measures to reduce dangerous speeding at Newby Bridge."