Highways England has held talks with Penrith MP Rory Stewart about its plans to improve the A66 cross-Pennine route.

Jacqui Allen, A66 project director for Highways England, provided an update for the Penrith and the Border MP.

Mr Stewart has been campaigning for better roads in Cumbria since he was elected in 2010.

Funding for an upgrade on the road was announced by the Chancellor in the Budget two years ago.

Mr Stewart heard about the agency's plans for reducing accidents and to get an update on plans to dual the carriageway.

The plans include improvements to a number of junctions between Brough and Penrith.

The talks come ahead of a closure of the A66 for seven consecutive weeks, starting on September 7.

The £5 million works will see reconstruction and resurfacing between Kirkby Thore and Low Moor.

Mr Stewart shared local concerns about the impact the works may have on local residents and businesses.

He said: "We have had an extremely useful and productive meeting.

"I am satisfied that there are plans in place to improve the A66 and I was interested to hear developments to the ambitious plan for its dualling.

"I would like to thank Jacqui and her team for meeting with me and for pledging to keep the public well informed of future developments."

Fresh calls to upgrade the A66 were made in the spring.

They came after a Carlisle lorry driver was killed in one of three crashes which happened at Kirkby Thore in less than a week.