I have been a resident of Burneside for 44 years and since our bridges have been damaged the village has been free of traffic.

The village is normally a rat run. We also have about 80 HGVs going to the paper mill every week. In addition HGVs and coaches use it as a cut through to Shap road.

If we could get a relief road it should come from the top of Ratherheath (with a roundabout) down behind the paper mill with a road off it into the mill then out on to the Shap road.

The three biggest garages, the biggest school and the biggest shopping area are all on the north-east side of the town.

The only way to get there is down Windermere Road, through the town or through Burneside.

When Victoria Bride was closed, what would have happened if there had been an accident and the road closed between junction 36 and 37 on the motorway?

Where would all the traffic have gone?

All the councils (local, county and parish) plus police, ambulance and fire brigade and all the local businesses should be pressurising our local MP Tim Farron for the government to find the money to do it as soon as possible.

Robert Derrick Wade

Burneside