Top 10 most dangerous roads in Cumbria and the Lake District

Let's take a look at Cumbria's top 10 most dangerous roads.

1. Hardknott Pass

Hardknott Pass, an old Roman road which links Eskdale and the Duddon Valley. (Image: Google Street View) Notorious for its hairpin turns on a narrow road, Hardknott Pass was referred to by law firm JMW as one of the UK's most dangerous roads[1].

Drivers and cyclists use the 13 mile route to travel from Boot in South Copeland to Ambleside in South Lakeland. This scenic but dangerous drive provides a tour of Scafell Pike - England's highest mountain; Wastwater - the country's deepest lake and Harknott Fort, its most isolated Roman outpost.

2. M6 motorway

A section of the M6 motorway. (Image: National Highways)

The M6 motorway, which passes through Cumbria on its way from Scotland to Manchester, is one of the most dangerous roads in our county. Cumbria Constabulary recorded more collisions on the M6 than any other road in the county in 2022, 2024 and 2025[2]. Police recorded 177 collisions on the motorway in 2022, 237 in 2024 and 196 between January and October 2025.

3.

Washington Street/Ramsay Brow

An aerial view of the work underway at Ramsay Brow. (Image: Cumberland Council) This key route into Workington Town Centre was identified as an accident black spot by Cumbria Road Safety Partnership in 2023. Cumbria Police recorded 292 road traffic collisions that year, with the Ramsay Brow junction on Washington Street identified as a problem area.

Work is currently underway to adjust the road layout, making Ramsay Brow and Hall Brow accessible to HGVs[3] as well as addressing safety concerns and "pinch-points."

4. A66 Brigham and Broughton

The junction on the A66 at Brigham and Broughton. (Image: Supplied) Member of Parliament for Penrith and Solway, Markus Campbell-Savours, has called for a roundabout on the A66[4] between Brigham and Broughton.

The junction is notorious in West Cumbria due to serious accidents and near misses on the stretch of road. As well as a busy thoroughfare between Workington and Cockermouth, the road provides access to the villages of Brigham and Broughton Moor. Traffic crossing the junction to access Brigham can be problematic at peak times.

5.

Kirkstone Pass

Kirkstone Pass, which takes motorists from Ambleside to Patterdale. (Image: Supplied) This mountain pass, takes motorists and cyclists on a scenic journey from Ambleside to Patterdale, however, travellers often get stuck in icy weather and the route has recorded a number of tragic accidents. With an altitude of 1,489 feet, Kirkstone Pass is the Lake District's highest pass[5].

Despite boasting stunning views of the Lake District, the road demands the driver's full attention due to its hairpin turns and level changes.

6. A595

A section of the A595 outside Gosforth. (Image: Google Street View.) Stretching the length of Cumbria from Broughton-in-Furness to Carlisle[6], the A595 is a critical route in England's road network[7].

However, the route of roughly 85 miles, includes sharp bends south of Egremont while Distington bypass has seen a number of serious collisions in recent years. In 2023, the A595 saw 192 collisions, the most of any road in Cumbria that year.

7. London Road, Carlisle

London Road, through Botchergate in Carlisle. (Image: Google Street View)

The Crash Map reveals that from 2022 to the end of 2024, London Road has recorded 22 road traffic accidents. Fatal collisions were not recorded on the road during that period, but the section between the Citadels and the retail park alone recorded six serious crashes.

8. Windermere Road, Kendal

Windermere Road, Kendal. (Image: Google Street View)

The junction between Queen's Road and Windermere Road was identified as an accident black spot by Cumbria's Road Safety Partnership in 2023. Since then, Windermere Road has continued to see a number of crashes, both slight and serious. The Crash Map reveals that 10 road traffic collisions[8] occurred on Windermere Road between 2024 and 2020, one of which was a serious incident, with one casualty taken to hospital.

9.

Newby Bridge

The A590 at Newby Bridge. (Image: Google Street View) A section of the A590, Newby Bridge has been identified as an accident black spot in recent years. SUBSCRIBE TO SUPPORT TRUSTED LOCAL JOURNALISM[9]

The Crash Map reveals that the section of road, which runs beside the River Leven, has seen seven slight and serious collisions between 2022 and 2024. A serious collision involving two vehicles was seen outside the Newby Bridge transport depot in 2022.

10. Carlisle Road, Brampton

Carlisle Road in Brampton. (Image: Google Street View)

A cluster of road traffic collisions have been seen in Brampton[10] between 2022 and 2024, specifically where Carlisle Road meets Longtown Road and Main Street.

One of the incidents was a slight collision while the other three were serious.

References

1. ^ Hardknott Pass was referred to by law firm JMW as one of the UK's most dangerous roads (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
2. ^ Cumbria Constabulary recorded more collisions on the M6 than any other road in the county in 2022, 2024 and 2025 (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
3. ^ Work is currently underway to adjust the road layout, making Ramsay Brow and Hall Brow accessible to HGVs (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
4. ^ Member of Parliament for Penrith and Solway, Markus Campbell-Savours, has called for a roundabout on the A66 (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
5. ^ Kirkstone Pass is the Lake District's highest pass (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
6. ^ Carlisle (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
7. ^ A595 is a critical route in England's road network (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
8. ^ road traffic collisions (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
9. ^ SUBSCRIBE TO SUPPORT TRUSTED LOCAL JOURNALISM (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
10. ^ Brampton (www.newsandstar.co.uk)