Transport Secretary Chris Grayling will visit the A595 today.

The trip comes after the minister had talks with Carlisle MP John Stevenson about the road, and subsequently the minister agreed to come to Cumbria and see it for himself.

Mr Stevenson has suggested that its trunk road status be reinstated, making Highways England responsible for operations and maintenance rather than Cumbria County Council.

He believes this would mean more money would be available for the route - the main link between Carlisle and west Cumbria - and would benefit the county economically.

Mr Stevenson said: “I am very pleased that Chris Grayling has taken up my invitation to visit the A595. It is encouraging to see that the Government is taking this issue seriously.

“Given the difficult geography of Cumbria, it is impossible for us to travel safely on a severely limited road network and the nuclear new build requires the infrastructure to support the opportunities that will come as a result.”

Earlier this week Workington MP Sue Hayman brought up the issue of transport in Cumbria in the House of Commons.

At Prime Minister's questions she said: “Many honourable members will have recently made the long journey to west Cumbria for the Copeland by-election, and will all have experienced the parlous state of our roads and local railway.

“In fact, it’s taken a by-election for transport ministers to look seriously and show any real interest at all in our situation."

She then asked the Prime Minister if she would visit the road for herself but was unhappy with Theresa May's answer, which she said blamed the last Labour government.

Mrs Hayman added: “West Cumbria will physically put the power into the Northern Powerhouse – it’s time we had the 21st century infrastructure in place to support us.

"I will keep pressing the Prime Minister and her transport ministers on the urgent need for investment.

"We deserve to be able to fulfil our potential, but we need decent infrastructure in place to be able to do so.”