Fatal accident fear at Maryport junction
Last updated at 07:02, Friday, 05 February 2010
A MAJOR route into Maryport will be the scene of a deadly accident if safety measures are not introduced, a neighbouring farmer has warned.
Robert Percival, 75, owns Risehow Farm, just below the A596 Maryport to Flimby road and opposite the turn-off to a recently upgraded road past Hutton Place and on to Irish Street.
There was a head-on collision at the spot on Sunday and while there were no serious injuries, Mr Percival said it was just a matter of time.
He said the problem was caused because the main road has three lanes at the junction – one towards Maryport, one to Workington and one for traffic from Maryport to turn right.
He said: “Cars coming from Workington slow down to turn left into Hutton Place but so often the cars behind them will overtake, not seeing the car standing in the middle of the road, in the turning lane, waiting to turn right.”
He said he had seen at least a dozen accidents in recent years.
“We have been lucky so far that nobody has been killed,” he added.
Mr Percival said the obvious answer would be a traffic island to the Workington side of the junction.
A Cumbria County Council spokesman said: “We are aware there have been several incidents at this location and are continuing to monitor traffic around the junction.
“While no firm plans are in place for making alterations to the road layout, changes – associated with the ongoing redevelopment of Maryport – could be introduced.
“Alterations would need to be approved by Cumbria County Council’s local committee for Allerdale, so contacting the committee is an option open to people keen to get proposals for changes on the agenda.”
First published at 19:24, Thursday, 04 February 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
Its not a round about thats needed, all these doo is slow cars down make tail backs, look at bell veiw round a bout,
when all the cars come back, if the bridges get done, it will be hell,
A slow down / left turn lane, so folk wanting to go left, can doo so , with out holding other cars up.
and on the other side an acceleration lane, so folk are not sitting , waiting for litterally ages to get out,it really makes me wonder, if the folk that plan the roads, actually drive, and can see from their eyes, !!!
View all 3 comments on this article

Have your say
Actually this is a better road, the main road where Eddie Shimmings (A595) IS HORRENDOUS, being near to a school and residendental area. the hgvs that travel past - were talking at least 500+ a day, do not stick to the speed limit!! we should have that roundabout here insead of on a back road that leads to industrial units. money wasted id say.
Posted by Grasslot Lass on 8 February 2010 at 13:53