Plans to make a busy West Cumbrian road junction safer have taken a step forward.

Highways chiefs say work to change the staggered Brigham and Broughton junctions on the A66 would start in 2018, if funding was secured.

Highways England said this week that it hopes to have more information later this month about what would work best.

It has suggested a roundabout to help the flow of traffic.

Andy Render, highways manager, said: "We intend to submit a request for further funding for 2016/17 which will progress the preferred layout to detailed design. 

"Should this be successful we would intend to have the design significantly progressed by mid-2017 which would potentially allow us to progress through land acquisition and the procurement process. 

"A possible delivery programme may allow the scheme to be delivered sometime in 2018, subject to funding and design issues." 

In July 2014, the government agency produced five traffic management options, all involving roundabouts, which were displayed in village halls in Broughton and Brigham.

More than 900 people attended the exhibitions to give their views.

Mr Render added: "We received generally positive feedback on the various roundabout options, in particular the options for a roundabout at the Broughton junction, leaving the Brigham junction essentially unchanged and the option of two ‘combined’ roundabouts to replace both junctions. 

"From this point our design team have looked further into these options.

"This review process identified some concerns regarding the operation of the junctions at peak times and has resulted in some further consideration of other layouts, most notably revisiting the four-arm roundabout layout but with a smaller radius than was presented to the exhibition. 

"Early reviews have been positive and we hope to have more information soon."

Mick Crombleholme, of Church Meadows, Great Broughton, has been campaigning for improvements since 2012. 

He said: "It's great news. We have waited a long time.

"These junctions are a constant trial for everyone every day as they go out the village.

"I was beginning to think nothing was happening so am so pleased to hear they are working on a solution."