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MP welcomes formal confirmation of Greenodd roundabout
August 16, 2012 1:34 PM
South Lakes MP welcomes report into A590 improvements, but says 'actions speak louder than words'
The Highways Agency have formally confirmed that a roundabout will be built at the A590 Greenodd junction this morning, following a hard fought campaign by South Lakes MP Tim Farron and local councillors.
The Agency's Route Management Report confirms a verbal assurance given by roads minister Mike Penning MP in June.
Improvements are also promised at the Witherslack underpass and Gilpin Bridge junctions - both sites which have been raised by Tim and local councillors.
The report comes after months of uncertainty during which the Highways Agency refused to confirm funding for the roundabout, despite having promised to take action years ago.
Official county council statistics show there have been 284 accidents on the A590 within South Lakeland over the past 5 years - eight of them fatal and 33 of them serious.
Commenting this morning, Tim said: "Local residents have been fighting for nearly 10 years to improve the A590. I'm delighted that the Highways Agency have confirmed funding for the Greenodd roundabout and pledged to take action at Witherslack and Gilpin Bridge.
"But we don't need another report telling us the A590 is dangerous - we need action! I will not stop campaigning until the work actually starts to make the A590 safer for local people.
"I want to pay tribute to the support of local people and the campaigns of local councillors Rod Wilson, Janet Willis and Sue Sanderson. Their help and determination has got us to this point today."
Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the county council, Cllr Ian Stewart, said: "The extra investment in this major road within South Lakeland shows that Government has listened to the campaigns that Liberal Democrats throughout South Lakeland have led. Not only will it help make South Lakeland a safer place, but it will help deliver economic growth in this part of Cumbria."