UPGRADES need to be made to the A590 as Barrow's shipyard takes on billions of pounds of work, the town's MP has told a government minister.

MP Simon Fell said he discussed improvements to road and rail links when the transport minister, Guy Opperman, visited Barrow.

Mr Fell hosted the minister alongside leaders from Westmorland and Furness and BAE Systems to discuss the area's transport needs.

It was part of the Team Barrow project, a group made of national and local government figures, Mr Fell and BAE working to improve the area while delivering major submarine programmes.

Mr Fell said: “It was fantastic to host Minister Opperman in Barrow this morning to join a meeting to discuss the transport issues in the area, and how we can best work with his Department to deliver tangible improvements to the A590, A595, the Furness and Energy Coast Lines, and also our local transport networks too.

“The Minister saw for himself the burning need to get spades in the ground and move these projects along, and also why they are crucially important to supporting both new nuclear at Sellafield and the submarine programme in Barrow.

“I’m very grateful to the Minister for agreeing to take our asks back to Whitehall and advocate for Barrow with the  Secretary of State.”

Mr Opperman said: “It was pleasure to meet with Furness’ fantastic local MP, Simon Fell, alongside Westmorland and Furness Council, and BAE, this morning to discuss Team Barrow and the key transport requirements needed to take the ambitious submarine programme forward.

“There is no project like Team Barrow in Whitehall - it is unique and has buy in across the whole of government, and so I am delighted to visit and learn more about the key transport requirements for the community for the future.

“I will continue to work closely with Simon to deliver the projects that will most help his constituents and ensure that the whole community feels the benefit of Team Barrow.”