CAMPAIGNERS are calling for improvements to be made to some of Cumbria’s most dangerous roads.

The battle has been given new impetus after 24-year-old Dean Heasley and 25-year-old Aaron Heasley were killed earlier this week when their car smashed into a tree just off the A5093 near Millom.

On average, around 100 people are involved in accidents on the A595 each year.

According to figures released by the Department for Transport, the number of accidents that occurred on the A595 have dropped from 180 in 2004 to 96 in 2013, but people across the county are fighting to reduce this number even further.

Due to drastic cuts, Cumbria County Council has lost around £30m in funding to maintain its road network over the past three years and is now in the process of trying to claw back some much needed funding.

Councillor Keith Little, cabinet member for highways and transport on Cumbria County Council, says the authority is striving to improve the standard of roads throughout the area but says it is an “ongoing battle”.

He said: “Austerity has been very cruel to Cumbria in terms of the amount of money that has been taken off us.

“We’re working with the government to introduce a new plan that will bring further money into Cumbria over the next three to five years, which will replace some of the money we’ve lost.

“If we’re successful we will be able to get £17m further investment coming into Cumbria.

“We’re doing work continuously to improve the roads in Cumbria. 

We repair the roads where there are defects and we keep signs well maintained, but not all accidents are a result of the condition of the roads.

“Where it is, Cumbria County Council will do what it can to put it right as soon as possible so people can travel as safely as possible.

“We do our level best but it’s an ongoing battle to try and meet these needs."

Copeland MP, Jamie Reed, has also been campaigning to improve the state of the roads and continues to lobby the government for more funding to make Cumbria a safer place to live, work and travel.

He said: “The sheer scale of the number of accidents and the instances of road closures shows clearly that the road network in south and west Cumbria is in dire need of significant investment.

“The case for improving our road network to make it safer is now beyond overwhelming. I will continue to make the case for investment until the government sees sense and gives us the tools we need to succeed.”