THE headteacher of a Furness school has warned that ‘children take their lives in their own hands every day’ while crossing one of Cumbria’s most dangerous roads.

The claim was voiced by Sarah Powell, head teacher at Burlington CE school in Kirkby-in-Furness, at a public meeting at Grizebeck Community Hall to discuss the state of the A595.

Mrs Powell said: “I am concerned about the health and safety of the children at my school.

“Those children take their lives into their own hands every day.”

The meeting of around 80 people was led by passionate campaigner Alison Whillance, who has lived in Kirkby-in-Furness for 23 years and after becoming stuck towing a caravan on the road this summer decided action had to be taken.

Representatives from Grizebeck Parish council, MP John Woodcock’s office, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria police and Cumbria highways also attended the meeting.

The main concerns voiced at the gathering were the narrow section of road at Dove Bank and Dove Farm, the overall width of the road, speeding of some vehicles and the safety of pedestrians.

Alison said: “The purpose of tonight is to highlight and address the problems on this road, and to also gather support to form an action group to move the campaign forward.”

Long-term and short-term solutions were discussed, such as temporary traffic lights and widening sections of the road.

Long-term aims include a bridge across the Duddon estuary from Askam to Millom and a Grizebeck bypass.

It was estimated that some of the long-term solutions could cost up £7.2m and Alison expressed her hope that Cumbria County Council would put the A595 on their capital works programme to receive some of the transport budget between now and 2026.

Parents, grandparents, villagers and motorists all voiced their own experiences of ‘near misses’ on the notorious road, with some residents concerned about the short-term solutions. Overall most agreed that something had to be done.

Ex-traffic police officer, Ian Winstanley, who has lived in Kirkby-in-Furness for seven years, said: “I think the road is an absolute disgrace, only today I picked up 17 wing mirrors on the stretch of road.”

Coun Joss Curwin said: “Other areas, Ulverston, Carlisle do alright – but everyone else has had their share of the cake.

“We down here have had sweet nothing. If the council does not do something in the near future “I am requesting that we go to the minister and tell him the council is not fit for purpose.”

At the end of the heated meeting, people were invited to sign up to become part of an action group and another meeting of the Grizebeck to Kirkby Upgrade Campaign was proposed for February next year.