Last updated at 16:47, Friday, 09 November 2012

THE health and vitality of the West Cumbrian economy is in danger of being held back by the state of our main roads.

These vital arteries are getting blocked up; they are barely fit for the purpose of efficient business.

We have called, on many occasions, for the A66 cross-country route to be made dual carriageway along its entire length from Penrith.

But the approach from the north is getting just as bad.

We certainly welcome the recently opened Carlisle bypass, which has helped to speed up traffic travelling from that direction.

But the problem arises further on, where a sign on the busy Thursby roundabout misguides traffic towards Workington via the winding A596.

This sends juggernauts thundering through the middle of built-up areas including Aspatria, Maryport and villages like Crosby.

It is a round-the-clock nightmare of noise for people living along the route, as well as raising safety concerns and slowing down local traffic.

We support the call from local residents who want new signs erected to clearly direct heavy lorries by the A595.

Of course, that's still far from ideal because of that route's appalling safety record.

Which underlines just how poor our road infrastructure really is, and how badly we need to press for investment to bring all our main roads up to scratch.

First published at 11:53, Friday, 09 November 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk