Temporary safety improvements are to be installed at a 'dangerous' junction on the M6 following MPs' calls for action. 

In July, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron teamed up with Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge with the aim of improving safety at junction 37 Kendal and Sedbergh.

The ministers wrote a joint letter to National Highways back in July saying the A684 flyover bridge had become an accident blackspot in recent years with numerous serious and fatal incidents at the junction.

READ MORE: A595: Start of work on new £23m road a ‘huge step forward’

READ MORE: Action to be taken at Plumgarths roundabout in Kendal

READ MORE: Festive charter Settle Carlisle train on track for Christmas 2024

The announcement comes after emergency services were called to the junction last week following a serious collision involving a car and a bus.

The driver and passenger of the car sadly died.

In July, a motorbike passenger died with the rider being seriously injured in a vehicle collision.

Click here to enjoy 30% off your first year's subscription to the Westmorland Gazette

National Highways has now said it would set up temporary STOP signs on both the North and Southbound slip roads from the M6 to the A684.

It will also reduce the Northbound slip road to a single lane with traffic cones to reduce the speed of drivers coming off the motorway.


MP Tim Farron said:  "After another heartbreaking accident, I really welcome National Highway’s decision to install STOP signs at the junction this week.

"This is something I, alongside local Liberal Democrat councillors Ian Mitchell and Hazel Hodgson and the new MP for Sedbergh Lizzi Collinge, have been pressing for and they can’t come a moment too soon.

"While these changes are initially temporary, I am extremely hopeful that they will become a permanent feature so we can prevent more fatal accidents happening here."

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those affected at this sad time. Safety is, and always will be, our number one priority and as previously stated, we are undertaking a safety review of the junction.

"While this continues, we can confirm that we are introducing several temporary measures. This involves installing stop signs at both the north and southbound exit slip roads, plus reducing the northbound slip road to a single lane with traffic cones.

"This work is presently being undertaken to encourage drivers to reduce their speed and improve driver awareness of the junctions."