A local councillor is among MPs and residents who are pushing for action on what they say is a well-known dangerous junction of the M6.

Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale councillor Ian Mitchell joined MPs Tim Farron and Liz Collinge in the fight to improve safety at junction 37 between Kendal and Sedbergh.

The push comes after 55-year-old Beverley Hainsworth was killed at the junction last month.

READ MORE: Campaign launched to save Sedbergh Delivery Office from potential closure

 

(Image: Cumbria Police) At this stage, the cause of the accident is being investigated however the political figures say the junction has had several dangerous incidents.

In a joint letter to National Highways, the ministers said it had become an accident blackspot in recent years with numerous serious and fatal incidents.

In May last year, a man in his 80s died and several other people were seriously hurt following a crash at the location.

Numerous problems with sat navs have been reported as they tell drivers travelling North on the M6 to take the slip road, then drive across the A684 and then drive back onto the M6.

Motorists have reported on the National Highways website that drivers feel they are 'still on the motorway' and travel at normal speed across the give way’ junction.

Councillor Mitchell said there had been many problems experienced at the junction.

(Image: Newsquest) "Something needs doing about it", he said. "The issue with the sat navs was meant to have been fixed a few years ago however it's possible people may still be having problems. 

"We did write to National Highways to put a stop sign there rather than a give away however no action was taken.

"Following the fatality we now need them to acknowledge that there is a problem at this junction - this is an accident black spot and should have been addressed years ago.

"Although the number of fatalities have been at a minimum, we need the appropriate action to be taken.

"I’ve spoken to several people about near misses and appealed on Facebook for drivers who have dashcam footage to come forward.

"Dozens have people have commented and it's clear that this is a significant issue." 

In response to the MPs' joint letter, a National Highways spokesperson said: "With an ongoing police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment on this incident but our thoughts and sympathies are with those affected. One fatality on our roads is one too many.

"We can confirm that we have received the joint letter from the MPs and will be responding. We routinely review the operation of our network to make it as safe as possible for all users."