A PETITION has been set up calling for action to be taken over a ‘dangerous’ stretch of South Lakeland road.

Almost 100 people have already signed the online document, which is calling for part of the A684, close to Sedbergh, to be resurfaced ‘before a fatality happens’.

“This stretch of road, despite a 20 mile an hour speed limit being imposed, is still experiencing at least one crash a week,” says the website, set up by Sara Last, who manages Sedbergh’s Farfield Mill.

“Cumbria County Council has told Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron that the road is due to be resurfaced this coming summer... this is too long to wait!”

It added: “So far no accidents on this stretch of road have led to any fatalities, let us get this sorted before one happens.”

Last year the Gazette reported how the stretch of road, close to Lily Mere near Killington, had been the scene of 11 collisions in just three months.

Josephine Lade, of Orton, revealed that her car was written off after she lost control at less than 40mph on a right hand bend ‘as if on ice’.

Her car crashed into a wall and she was ‘catapulted’ back into the highway, where the car spun a further 180 degrees before coming to rest.

“One of the people who stopped to help me told me how their car had skidded immediately before they stopped for me,” she said.

A Cumbria County Council spokesman later said ‘Slippery Road’ signs had been installed, while an advisory 20mph speed limit was introduced, with speed indicator devices.

But residents now say the road needs to be completely resurfaced.

“It needs to be done now for safety reasons,” said Alan Tattersall, who signed the petition.

And putting her name to the document, Clare Rice said: “I see accidents regularly on this stretch – and don't feel safe myself, even though I drive slowly and carefully on this road. “The surface is clearly dangerous!”

Mr Farron is now urging more local people to sign the form.

“The more people that add their voice and their signature to the campaign the stronger our campaign is,” he said.

“We are working hard to try to force the council to do the urgent work required to fix the road before we see another accident.”

To sign the petition visit www.ipetitions. com/petition/A684