Carlisle MP John Stevenson has appealed to the the Government to take responsibility for the A595.

The Conservative has met Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to suggest its trunk road status be reinstated, so 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 this would benefit the county economically.

Mr Stevenson also spoke to the minister about making improvements to the A69.

He said: "I met Chris Grayling to speak about the A69 and A595 with Guy Opperman [MP for Hexham].

"There has been an agreement to get improvements to the A69 near Hexham but I was pushing the Secretary of State to do something at the Carlisle side and these have not been ruled out.

"I also made a request that the A595 be retrunked so it is managed by Highways England rather than Cumbria County Council."

"It would mean that it would come under the auspices of national government, which has deeper pockets and technical expertise.

"I spoke of the significant importance of the A595 given the experience of Sellafield and nuclear new build [at Moorside, near Sellafield]," he added.

In the Autumn Statement last month, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced plans to dual the A66 between Penrith and Scotch Corner, but failed to confirm any plans for similar measures for the A69. Instead, it is set to be upgraded at two junctions.

Workington's Labour MP Sue Hayman has criticised the Government for not not announcing improvements on the A595.

Mr Stevenson said: "I think this move would bring long-term benefits from an economic perspective and from a health perspective from improved connectivity between west Cumbria and the Cumberland Infirmary."

He added: "This is something I am pushing hard for. I think it should extend for the whole length of the road, it is the most important arterial highway in Cumbria."