Children's lives will be put at risk if more than 100 homes are built near to a danger road in Whitehaven, says a leading figure in the town.

A huge stretch of land at Low Road, which has already been granted planning consent for the houses, has gone on the market for £1.68m.

It will anger people living at nearby Meadow View, who say the road outside their homes is already at breaking point and can not take any more traffic.

The residents handed a petition to the county council last month, calling for the accident hot-spot road to be improved.

Town councillor Siobhan Cunningham is now backing the fight and has raised her fears that children, elderly people and drivers' lives will all be at risk if the houses are built.

"I don't agree a further 107 homes should be built as it is already a badly congested area during the day, but worse so at school times," she said.

"I already fear for the lives of children, the elderly and drivers with the current road conditions."

The councillor for Mirehouse added that major improvements should have been put in place on the road before the planning application was granted last year.

People living on Meadow View have been campaigning for years to have immediate measures brought in.

Issues stem from the narrow carriageway, which means motorists can only use one one lane at a time due to cars parked on the other side of the road.

The new houses will be built on the former workhouse and infirmary site, near to the town's cemetery.

The site was developed in the late 1880's with a workhouse and infirmary. It closed in the 1960's and was later demolished.

A year ago, applicant Astime Properties Ltd, based in West Sussex, was granted consent to build a mix of two, three and four bed semi-detached homes on the site. At the time, the developer said work could start within the next three years.

Proposals included 12 affordable homes.

The land is being sold by Grisdales.