MORE should be done to tackle notorious roads in Cumbria, an MP has claimed, after an horrific crash on Friday night claimed the lives of two teenage girls.

Skye Mitchell and Caitlin Huddleston, both 18, died when Miss Mitchell's Toyota Yaris collided with a white Ford Transit van on the A595 at Bootle shortly before 8pm.

Another 18-year-old, who was travelling in the rear of the car, and the 51-year-old van driver remain in hospital following the tragic accident which saw the road closed for several hours.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock today joined tributes to the youngsters following the crash.

He went on to call for safety improvements to what he described as a 'dangerous' stretch of road.

Mr Woodcock said: "This is an awful tragedy that has shocked everyone in South Cumbria and my thoughts are with the family and friends of all those involved.

"People have been raising concerns about safety on the A595 for a long time now and this horrific crash shows there is more we can and should be doing to improve safety on this dangerous stretch of road."

Campaigners have long petitioned for major improvements to the route, which begins near Dalton, travels up the West Coast of Cumbria and ends near Carlisle.

They claim the road - the main route to Sellafield - is not fit for purpose in its current form.

Earlier this month, transport secretary Chris Grayling pledged the route linking north and south Cumbria remained top of the governments 'roads priority list', despite being snubbed in the latest round of confirmed major improvements.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison was contacted but was unavailable for comment.

She had earlier called the tragedy a "dreadful shock to the community and a desperately sad day".

Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact Cumbria police on 101, quoting log number 230 of July 14.