LIVING next to a notoriously busy road through Brampton is like a 'living hell', it has been claimed.

The A6071 through Brampton is currently being resurfaced after residents submitted a petition to Cumberland Council which highlighted a number of issues with the route.

The petition was organised by local resident Mandy Watson. She was given time during Thursday's (October 24) meeting of the council's highways and transport strategic board to ask a question relating to the A6071 through the market town.

Her petition concerned a number of issues including the poor road surface conditions, the extent of HGV traffic both day and night, and the volume of speeding vehicles travelling through Brampton.

During the meeting at Allerdale House in Workington, she said many of the HGV vehicles travelling through the town were from all over the country.

She added: "If you haven't witnessed the noise created by the HGVs as they pass close to people's homes I would like to invite you to witness it in person.

"I would be more than happy to accompany you to the relevant areas. Once you have heard it you will realise how awful it is and totally dreadful to live with."

She welcomed the news that the road was to be resurfaced - according to the council report work was due to begin last Sunday (October 20) - and that the materials would be used to help reduce noise levels.

Councillor John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) said he knew Brampton well and added: "This has been going on for some time."

He was told by a council officer that it would be useful to get some traffic data relating to the speed of vehicles, times of journeys and the types of vehicles travelling through the town.

Mrs Watson said that residents' homes had been damaged by larger vehicles and the road surface had also been damaged – to such an extent that it was "worn away and missing".

She added: "The noise – it sounds like a plane is landing. It just makes life a living hell when you are living next to it."

Councillor Tony Markley (Solway Coast, Conservative) suggested that a maximum weight limit could be placed on the route and added: "It's common sense."

Members of the board noted the responses to the petition and the suggested actions aimed at tackling the issues.