A PEDESTRIAN crossing could be installed on a busy main road after years of campaigning for safety measures to be put in place.

Councillors have been calling for a crossing on the A595 near the Pelican Garage in Whitehaven following ‘countless near-misses’ over the years.

Now a multi-million pound scheme by National Highways could see improvements made to sections of the A595, including a controlled pedestrian crossing at the Pelican Garage.

Proposals have been submitted to the government by National Highways in conjunction with councillors and the council as part of Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) - a plan to invest in the UK's road network from 2025 to 2030.

Councillor Joseph Ghayouba says there have been 'countless near-misses' and serious injuries on the A595 at the Pelican Garage in WhitehavenCouncillor Joseph Ghayouba says there have been 'countless near-misses' and serious injuries on the A595 at the Pelican Garage in Whitehaven (Image: Newsquest)

Joseph Ghayouba, who represents Bransty on Cumberland Council, said: "The junctions around the Pelican have been a long-running concern for pedestrians trying to cross the road. There have been countless near-misses and serious injuries. I really hope that it doesn’t take a fatality for something to happen.

“I have raised this with both Cumberland Council Highways team and the MP. The proposals have been submitted to government to make it safer by National Highways in conjunction with councillors and the council as part of Road Investment Strategy 3.

“Hopefully, the calls for a crossing coming from all these parties and the MP leads to a positive funding decision."

Josh MacAlister MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said: “I am pushing National Highways very hard to ensure a multi-million pound scheme to improve safety along the A595 is prioritised in their programme of work next year.

“This includes improvements at a number of points along the route they manage, including at Whitehaven and through Bigrigg. I know local councillors have been campaigning to make the road safer for some time and I’m pleased to add my voice to the effort.”

A National Highways spokesman said: “We met with Cumberland Council last month, gave a general overview of the operation of the A595 and schemes that are in the early stage of development, one of which is a controlled pedestrian crossing at Pelican Garage.

“We emphasised that this is something to which we can give further consideration once the government has published Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3).”