COPELAND MP Jamie Reed has said that the government must "get a grip" on road safety after discovering shocking figures.

Mr Reed issued a stark warning to government ministers after obtaining figures that reveal the hundreds of accidents that have occurred on the A595 in recent years.

The warning coincides with the latest accident on the notorious road which occurred early yesterday morning after three vehicles collided between Grizebeck and Foxfield.

Ulverston watch manager Ian Westall praised the crews involved.

He said: "A road traffic collision involving two saloon cars occurred at 07.45am on the A595 between Grizebeck and Foxfield.

"Two appliances attended as well as the police and ambulance."

Fire crews worked hard to free one person from a car using hydraulic cutting equipment and a Tirfor winch.

The road was closed for around one and a half hours, causing huge disruption across the area, including Millom GP surgery.

The A595 is regarded by people throughout the area as not fit for purpose and Mr Reed is calling on the government to give Cumbria the investment it needs to build a thriving economy.

He said: "The government must get an immediate grip on the A595, commit to its full upgrade, and improve safety along the road.

"Both the local and national case for the upgrade is overwhelming. Here in West Cumbria, we're working to build a 21st century economy, but we're doing it on 19th century infrastructure.

"Therefore, as I have set out over a number of years, government must step up and act immediately to ensure that we have the 21st century infrastructure that we need to prosper."

Mr Reed has also obtained shocking figures from the House of Commons library which reveal that there were 528 road accidents on the A595 in Cumbria between 2011 and 2015, 17 of which were fatal.

Last year alone there have been 11 road accidents on the A595, three of which have been fatal and nine classed as serious.

Mr Reed was alarmed after discovering these figures and believes enough is enough.

He said: "528 accidents in the space of four years is unacceptable.

"Moreover, commuting times are unacceptably lengthy, congestion is unacceptably frequent, the road frequently floods and Cumbrians deserve better."