MPs call for accident blackspot action

Image source, Family handout

Image caption, Beverley Hainsworth was a pillion passenger on a motorcycle which was involved in a collision with a car

Two Cumbria MPs have written to National Highways asking for urgent action to address a "well known traffic accident blackspot" on the M6 after a fatal crash.

Motorcycle pillion passenger Beverley Hainsworth was killed in a crash on Sunday at the A684 junction.

In the letter, Lizzi Collinge and Tim Farron said it was the latest in a series of hundreds of near misses and dozens of collisions resulting in serious injury or death.

National Highways has been contacted for comment.

Mr Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said he was writing jointly with Ms Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, as the junction is close to the border between their constituencies.

The pair are calling for changes to signage or layout to resolve the junction's "problematic status".

The letter to National Highways chief executive Nick Harris, states some sat-navs tell drivers travelling north on the M6 to take the slip road, drive across the A684 and then rejoin the M6.

This can lead drivers to believe they are still on the motorway and drive at speed across the "give way" junction.

One solution, according to the MPs, would be to change the layout to a "stop" or staggered junction, preventing vehicles travelling straight across the A684.

The letter concludes: "Please will National Highways urgently review this junction and its infamous accident history and introduce measures to ensure drivers realise the layout and can alter their driving style."

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