HIGHWAYS bosses have asked the public to make suggestions on how to improve part of the A590, which has been the scene of several fatal collisions.

A public consultation will be held this month, as a result of bosses from Highways England hosting a series of discussions with stakeholders about the section between Greenodd and Haverthwaite.

Highways England wants members of the public to suggest improvements - especially at accident blackspots - including Bouth Lane End between Greenodd and Bouth and the Haverthwaite junction.

The Mail’s coverage of serious crashes at the locations is understood to have helped to spark the bid to invest in the road.

In the past it has been suggested the Bouth Lane End section could be straightened by purchasing some of the adjoining farmland and potentially even converting it to a dual carriageway.

Once possible improvements have been identified, Highways England will then seek to secure funding from central government.

A spokesman for Highways England said: “We’ve been working with local community representatives for some time to review their concerns along the A590 between Greenodd roundabout and Ayside.

“At the drop-in session we will be identifying the places where we understand there are issues on this part of the network, the nature of those issues and set out in broad terms what could be done.

“We want to get feedback from local people to make sure nothing has been missed, as well as their thoughts on what to do to improve the situation.

“The aim is to identify a sensible package of measures which address issues, have been developed with the community and allow us to make the strongest case for investment.”

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has urged residents to get involved.

“It’s great news that Highways England has woken up to the fact that improvements need to be made to this stretch of the A590 – although it’s disappointing that it seems to have taken the coverage in the Mail for them to take action,” he said.

“I’d encourage everyone to have their say – whether they want the road straightened, speeds reduced or other solutions.

“Improving safety on the A590 has been a key campaign of mine since I was elected as an MP, working alongside local councillors like Sue Sanderson and Janet Willis – and I was delighted when the Greenodd roundabout was completed which really helped improve safety at that junction.

“There are a number of other schemes that have been sat in the waiting list for far too long – like remodelling the junction at Haverthwaite – which Highways England need to make progress on.”

The meeting will be held on February 24 from 2pm until 7pm at Levens Valley School at Haverthwaite.