A CORONER has called for an urgent review of lighting for pedestrians on the A590 following the death of a pensioner.

An inquest heard Doreen Fell, 76, was killed crossing the road near Backbarrow in January 2018 after being hit by a car.

She failed to see an oncoming car behind a van on the northbound side of the A590 and died at the scene shortly after.

Now coroner Paul O’Donnell, speaking at a hearing at Barrow Town Hall, said he would write to Highways England bosses urging them to look at the crossing.

He said: “The A590 is a vital artery connecting Furness to the rest of the country.

“Road safety on the A590 has been a long-term problems.

“It would appear there was no other artificial lighting on this road other than the lights of oncoming vehicles. There is a question whether it was suitably illuminated.”

The coroner said he could see future deaths on that stretch of the road and would raise the issue with highways chiefs.

Mrs Fell stepped out into the road by Brow Edge near the Whitewater Hotel at around 5pm, the inquest heard.

The inquest heard that Mrs Fell crossed the road when she was hit by John Kitching, whose black Honda Civic was obscured behind a van.

She had been walking back to her home on other side of the village after visiting a friend.

Mr Kitching was said to have been driving at around 50mph on his way home to Lancashire from his job in Grizebeck.

In a statement, he told the inquest: “I saw her crossing and shouted ‘no’.

"I had no time to brake.”

Mr O’Donnell ruled her death was accidental.

He said: “There was no recklessness on behalf of Mr Kitching.”

No charges were brought against him.

Mrs Fell was born in Backbarrow and used to work as a caretaker at Leven Valley C Of E Primary School.

She had been a regular attendee of the village's Hebron Hall Church.

She leaves behind three children.