A decision on whether the High and Low Newton bypass is included in the Government’s road building programme will be made in weeks, campaigners heard on Monday.

David Jamieson - whose job it is to decide whether the £15 million bypass scheme is given the go ahead – conceded that the A590 was a “problematic” road.

After meeting with representatives from Friends of the Lake District – who are opposed to the scheme because of the impact the bypass will have on the landscape – Mr Jamieson met residents at High Newton who have campaigned for the 2.4-mile bypass from Barrow Banks layby to the east of Ayside for more than 20 years.

One resident who has lived in High Newton all her life Margaret Nixon, 72, told the minister about a piece of land she had at Low Newton, where she kept Shetland ponies.

“Since 1976 I have had to have the wall rebuilt 36 times and nine new gates put on because of the number of accidents there. It has got so bad that I have sold all but two of my ponies because I am scared they will get out on to the road,” said Mrs Nixon.

Jim Dixon , another life-long resident of High Newton, said the two villages were “split into two halves” because of the A590.

“Years ago we used to be able to cross the road easily but now it is just so dangerous. Back then everyone in the two villages knew each other and used to help each other because we were back and forth all the time.

“Now I don’t know a single person in Low Newton and it has spoilt our thriving community,” said Mr Dixon.

Communications officer for Friends of the Lake District Martin Varley said two representatives had met with the minister.

“We were really pleased he met with us. It is encouraging to see that the minister has taken the issue seriously and is not going to make a decision on a whim,” he said.

Mr Jamieson said the villagers had put forward a “very strong case” for the bypass.

“I have listened very carefully to those people who are opposed to the scheme and, even though there aren’t very many, their views are important.

“If we go ahead with the bypass we have got to consider that it is in a national park and there are issues that will have to be dealt with.

“We have got to now weigh up the road safety issues and the economic development issues in the area before making a decision”.

Mr Jamieson said Monday’s visit was not the first time he had inspected the A590. While staying in Ambleside on holiday with his wife four weeks ago he said he drove along the road.

“It was very quiet and it was a very dry day, but today I have seen it in very different conditions and there is no question about it, there are problems on the A590”.

Mr Jamieson said there were “a lot” of road schemes similar to the bypass being considered for inclusion in the Government’s Roads Programme. The number of schemes that would be included all depended on the amount of Government funding available.

If given the go ahead, Mr Jamieson said there would be no public inquiry and work to build the bypass could start in 2006. Two public inquiries have already been held. The latest in 1993 concluded that the A590 was a substandard road.

Area manager for the Highways Agency Paul Turner said the bypass would take between 18 months and two years to build and would create 30 to 40 jobs.

During his visit Mr Jamieson also met business leaders, police and representatives from Barrow Borough Council, Cumbria County Council and Furness Enterprise to discuss the A590.