SOLUTIONS have been put forward to solve congestion at an accident blackspot at Ulverston’s blue-light hub.

The hub, is an area of the town where two parts of the major A590 dual carriageway merge in front of the emergency services building, causing tailbacks at peak times.

Cllr Andrew Butcher, who presents West Ward in the town, has raised the concerns of some of residents, including traffic tailgating at the notorious black spot.

He said: “The blue-light junction is an accident waiting to happen, with traffic merging from two lanes into one lane at the turn off to Pennington Lane.

“My solution is to have the left lane for the blue-light hub only, have the middle lane straight ahead and the slip road as at present to Dalton Gate.

“After the lights, we should widen that stretch of the A590 from the nearby bus stop lay-by, to just before the Beehive cottages, by converting much of the existing grass verge, which would not impact on the existing footpath.

“Then realignment of the lanes could be made allowing a right turn central lane.

“For a driver turning right into Pennington Lane from the A590, it’s a nerve-racking experience when the through traffic is impatient, and not prepared to wait until the right-turning vehicle can turn.

“These changes would allow the through traffic to proceed safely.”

Councillor Mark Wilson, who represents East Ward, told Ulverston Town Council: “I agree. Highways England should investigate, and it would have done so if not in the middle of the pandemic.

“So, right question to the right people at the right time.

“That road is in over capacity, which is why the roundabout is going in.”

Cumbria County Council was approached to comment on the proposed safety changes.

It said: “Local residents have a number of options to make suggestions, or provide feedback to the Highways department.

“The Highways teams routinely monitor traffic flows and accident rates on all priority routes throughout the county.”