The case to build a bypass around Whitehaven has been given a critical boost.

Cumbria County Council has agreed to plough £60,000 into a report looking at the potential for a relief road.

The six-month study will take place alongside work exploring what improvements can be made to parts of the A595, A66 and A590.

Keith Little, the county councillor responsible for highways, said: "For anyone that lives in or travels through west Cumbria they’ll understand why we want to make the case for a Whitehaven relief road, the limitations of the road and the significant traffic volumes cause real issues for people.

"The reality though is that this would be a major undertaking and the funding would have to come from national government.

"That’s why this study is important. It will provide the solid evidence we need to present a convincing case for support."

The study, a joint project with Highways England and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, will look at issues such as traffic flow and value for money.

Findings will be submitted to Highways England and Transport for the North as part of wider work to identify transport priorities for 2020-2025.

Mr Little added: "I’m sure Cumbrians would join me in urging government to consider this carefully and recognise the economic, social and environmental benefits a relief road would bring."