THE notorious Dove Ford pinch point should not be overlooked when the government announces improvements to the A595, an MP has said.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock has welcomed a government pledge for upgrading works to be carried out, which transport secretary Chris Grayling MP has vowed to unveil within weeks.

But Mr Woodcock said road users and residents living in the Grizebeck and Kirkby areas would feel abandoned if the hazardous Dove Ford chicane is omitted from the plans.

Mr Woodcock said: “I have campaigned alongside residents for improvements at the Dove Ford bottleneck and members of the A595 Action Group have been tireless in their efforts to have the road made safer.

“There have been setbacks along the way, so it was encouraging to hear the transport secretary give a pledge that improvement works will shortly be announced.

“The stretch of the road at Dove Ford would appear to be a prime candidate for restructuring work, given the logjams, tailbacks, accidents and near misses that occur on a regular basis and I am sure that residents and motorists will be looking forward to hear what Mr Grayling has to say.”

The transport secretary made the promise while visiting Cumbria shortly before the Copeland by-election.

A595 Action Group secretary Robin Cornah said: “We were pleased to hear the commitments made by the transport secretary.

“The strategic need is for the whole of the A595 from Carlisle to Barrow to be put under a single authority – Highways England.

“The urgent need is to start work on the highest priority problems without further delay, so that our infrastructure is ready for the huge developments in Furness and Copeland.

“The Dove Ford scheme – the Grizebeck bypass – is already identified in a study as a top priority and to exclude it from forthcoming announcements would defy all logic.

“Our group welcomes John Woodcock’s words and endorses them completely.”