DRIVERS were hit with traffic chaos ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend after the A590 was left partially blocked for up to three hours.

Motorists were left queuing at a standstill for hours yesterday afternoon due to a broken-down lorry near the Shell garage at Newby Bridge.

Traffic was reportedly moving at five mph as tailbacks developed between the A592 at Newby Bridge roundabout to Newby Bridge Caravan Park at Staveley-in-Cartmel.

There was also heavy traffic around the J36 roundabout as motorists arrived in the Lake District ready to enjoy the forecasted weekend sunshine.

Ulverston Town Councillor Andrew Butcher has repeatedly called for improvements to traffic flow on the A590.

He described the traffic chaos as ‘unbelievable’.

“I think there should be better systems in which signs are put up promptly to divert traffic flow when accidents happen," he said.

“There needs to be a contingency plan when there is a major accident to prevent traffic build-up.”

Cllr Butcher said he believed a bridge across Morecambe Bay which would link the A590 and M6 would drastically alleviate traffic flow.

“A bridge across the bay is something which has been long overdue,” said Cllr Butcher.

“It would help businesses thrive by linking the two areas and take the pressure off the A590 being the only road out of Barrow.

“There is a huge amount of people who use the A590 who would benefit from the bridge."

Cllr Butcher is calling for ‘serious action’ to improve traffic flow on the A590.

“Thousands of people use this stretch of road every day and the road can’t be cleared quick enough when an accident does take place," he said.

“I think serious action needs to be taken to improve this.”

Earlier this month Cumbria County Council confirmed it plans to carry out a £49,000 study to identify potential improvements which could be made on the A590 through Ulverston.

Any suggestions to improve the arterial route would then need to attract additional funding.