Morecambe MP makes M6 junction safety plea after two pensioners die after crash

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Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge has written to National Highways asking them to make a major M6 junction safer. It follows the deaths of a 77-year-old woman and an 85-year-old woman in a car involved in a collision with a bus on the A684 at Junction 37 near Kendal last week. National Highways [2] is a public body, sponsored by the Department for Transport and responsible for managing and improving England's motorways and major A roads.

Mrs Collinge said she has previously written to the organisation jointly with Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron, but has been left "very unhappy" with the response.

Lizzi Collinge has written to National Highways.

Photo: Kelvin Stuttard

"I am absolutely appalled that it is taking multiple fatalities to get National Highways to pay attention," she said. The junction with the A684 near Kendal is used by many of my constituents in their daily life and has become notorious for its danger to road users. "I am yet to see anything resembling action to reduce the risk posed by the layout of this junction.

"I am frustrated by the seemingly unwillingness to protect the safety of my constituents. "This junction has been adopted as a Hot Spot by the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership and official figures record over 30 incidents over the last five years, including two fatal incidents and three involving serious injuries. "There have been two further incidents since that figure was collated at the end of August.

"Anecdotal evidence from users of the junction suggests the reality may be even worse as many incidents and near misses go unreported. "I urge you to ensure the safety of my constituents. The road layout in its current form causes incidents which have catastrophic impact on constituents' lives and I expect immediate action to reduce the risk while a more permanent solution is found."

Christine Dale, 77, of Thornton-Cleveleys, was a passenger in a Hyundai involved in a collision with a bus on September 19. She died in hospital three days later. The driver of the Hyundai, Rita Thomas, 85, of Thornton-Cleveleys, also died in hospital following the collision.

The driver of the bus was uninjured.

Police continue to appeal for anyone with information to contact officers.

References

^ Visit Shots! now (www.shotstv.com)
^ National Highways (www.lancasterguardian.co.uk)