CONCERNED residents are calling for action to be taken on a dangerous stretch of the A66 near Cockermouth.

It is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident, said Embleton Parish councillor Rick Petecki.

The council would like to hear people's views on what changes are needed so that they can share them with Highways England (HE).

"The A66 is a major trunk road feeding the whole of West Cumbria. The junctions around Embleton are still a cause for concern for local residents with a number of accidents, near misses and general fear when fast moving through lorries get mixed up with farm traffic and local users trying to cross or make turns on what is increasingly a busy highway," said Mr Petecki.

"People are terrified of having to wait in middle of road as juggernauts roar past."

The council has had repeated meetings with HE in the hope of safety measures being put in place.

"We're getting frustrated. We were expecting it to be in the HE budget for this year but it's not," said Mr Petecki.

"They have repeatedly promised to review the safety concerns of residents regarding the various junctions along the stretch through the parish. These discussions have now progressed to a point at which the parish council feels it should consult with residents and other regular users to ensure that their concerns and opinions are accurately reflected in the priorities that are being represented by the council to HE and the other authorities with road responsibilities.

"We want to be proactive. The HE would rather have the local community on the same page regarding what needs to be done."

Questionnaires have been sent to residents in Embleton, Wythop and Setmurthy. The council would also like to hear from other road users.

The new housing development at Strawberry How has lead to an increase in traffic using the Lambfoot junction, says the council.

Mr Petecki, a member of the National Association of Local Councils, said: "We want to go to HE and say 'We have a mandate, we know what the community wants, let's agree a plan of action together'.

"I have my own ideas about what should be done but would like people to come along with theirs.

"I, personally, would like to see fewer dangerous junctions. If there were less junctions it would mean there were less crossing points, which would be safer."

Parish councillor David Brown lives near the small bridge junction past Embleton Village Hall. He has seen HGVs turning off the A66 and then being unable to proceed along the narrow road so choosing to reverse back on to the A66.

"It's a particularly dangerous junction," he said.

"The A66 splits a valuable community in two. It's really important that the junctions are made more safe so people can cross more easily.

"Everyone has different ideas, we need to get a consensus in the community. It's only a matter of time before we have some serious casualties.

"The authorities look at statistics and if there are not lots of issues it gets pushed further down the priority list. If nothing is done someone will become a statistic."

A spokesperson for Highways England said: “Safety is our top priority and we are committed to reducing deaths and injuries on England’s motorways and major A roads.

"We are currently working in a scheme to improve the flow of traffic through Fitz roundabout at the A66/A595 junction near Cockermouth, including creating two new cyclist crossings to improve safety at the junction. We will also continue to monitor where collisions occur on the A66, and what action can be taken to improve road safety.”

Comments should be sent to: embletonparishclerk@hotmail.com.