Communities and authorities along a main West Cumbrian road are being urged to join forces to revive a battle against the number of timber wagons using the route.

Aspatria Town Council wants parish councils and other authorities to back a bid to persuade Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and the county council to fund a survey of timber traffic on the A596, between Thursby and Workington’s Iggesund factory.

It also wants Allerdale council’s environmental health team to produce an air quality report for Maryport and Aspatria, and will contact GP surgeries in those towns to find out if there has been an increase in respiratory conditions in recent years which could be caused by pollution from the road.

The town council is concerned about noise, vibration and the health impacts of pollutants such as nitrous oxide and diesel fumes, particularly in areas such as Aspatria where the roads are narrow.

Many residents claim a significant reduction in their quality of life caused by the number and frequency of fully-laden timber wagons passing their homes.

An estimated 100 timber vehicles a week come down the A596.

Mayor of Aspatria Barry Chambers said councillors recognised the massive investment in the area by Iggesund.

He said he also recognised that the company was trying to reduce road traffic by putting more wood through the Port of Workington, but he suggested more investment was needed at the port itself.

The LEP previously carried out the West of M6 Strategic Connectivity Study to examine the issues and restraints associated with the connectivity of the Port of Workington and the road capability, resilience and reliability of the A595, A590 and A66 to the west of the M66 and includes Workington and Whitehaven.

The town council said: “The study did not consider the effect of HGVs on the A596 which we believe was a missed opportunity.”

Iggesund’s HR boss, Jonny Lowe, said it was encouraging to see some schemes identified in the LEP study.

“As we have said in the past, we are keen to see investment in local transport infrastructure particularly where it could alleviate movements along the A596.”

Workington, Maryport, Crosscanonby, Oughterside, Waverton and Thursby have all been asked for support.

The council has also written to former county leader, Eddie Martin, asking for help.