A COMMUNITY is demanding action on the A590 after the death of a pensioner.

Doreen Fell, 76, died last month when she was struck by a car attempting to cross the major road near her home village of Backbarrow.

Now, villagers are stepping up their fight to improve safety on the stretch of road.

Catherine Wandzel, Sally Cowell and Mandy Allan have launched a petition to have the speed limit reduced to 40mph from 60mph.

There is no suggestion the driver involved was speeding at the time.

“We were saddened and quite angry,” said Mrs Wandzel. “Sixty miles per hour is just far too fast, it’s really dangerous.”

As well as a reduction in the speed limit, the campaigners – who have set up a Facebook group called ‘A590 Action for Safety - Backbarrow and Haverthwaite’ – have several other aims.

They also want better signage and lighting, speed cameras to be installed and the dual-carriageway at Haverthwaite to be reduced to a single lane in either direction.

Cumbria County Council member Sue Sanderson has been campaigning for improved safety on the A590 for a number of years.

“I’ve had a long engagement with Highways England about this and the 40mph speed limit is our long-term aim,” she said.

“The whole thing is a dangerous bit of road and would not be built like that if it was built today. But I know it’s a strategic route and I understand targets for journey times.”

A spokesperson for Highways England said it was looking into options to improving safety on the road, and had already carried out measures to improve an underpass at Backbarrow.

“Our thoughts are with anyone who was affected by the recent fatality but of course we cannot comment on the circumstances until the police investigation and inquest are completed,” said the spokesperson.

“However, we are aware of the petition and are assessing people’s comments on improving safety along the A590. We are also working to repair lighting in the underpass which currently has three of eight lights out of action at different spots in the underpass.

“Lighting here and along the rest of the A590 is assessed every fortnight. We are also looking at ways of improving access to the underpass and how it is cleaned.”

Mrs Fell was an active member of the community who attended Backbarrow’s Hebron Hall Church.