TRANSPORT minister Andrew Jones has confirmed that tackling flooding issues at the 'Lindal dip' is "a priority". 

Mr Jones said making improvements at the dip in the A590 near Lindal are being looked at as a priority by Highways England. 

The statement came in response to a letter from Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock who had raised the issue of flooding causing the closure of the A590 in the House of Commons and called for swift action to prevent further disruption. 

In his letter Mr Woodcock noted that “It is vital for my constituents that the A590 is kept open, not least in order to ensure safe access for ambulances travelling to Morecambe Bay hospitals.” 

Mr Jones’ response confirms that Highways England are looking at ‘solutions for the long and short-term’ to address the problem including the potential for temporary storm drains to be installed on the north verge. 

Mr Woodcock said: “The improvement work on the A590 is long overdue and I welcome the fact that it is finally being treated as a priority. It is simply not acceptable that the current state of the road means we risk being cut off every time there is heavy rain. With recent indications showing extreme weather is on the rise, we now need to press ahead with the improvements and I will keep pushing to get a final date for completion of the work.”