A NEW demand have been made for the urgent upgrade of the A595 through Cumbria after it emerged that 17 people were killed on the road in a four-year period.

Jamie Reed, MP for Copeland, says that the accident statistics on the major road between Carlisle and west Cumbria are "unacceptable" and has called on the Government to take action.

He was speaking after figures revealed there were 528 accidents on the A595 in Cumbria between 2011 and 2015; 17 of which were fatal. He will now table a Parliamentary question to Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Transport.

Mr Reed said: "Government must get an immediate grip on the A595, commit to its full upgrade, and improve safety along the road.

"Both the local and national case for the upgrade is overwhelming. Here in West Cumbria, we're working to build a 21st century economy, but we're doing it on 19th century infrastructure.

"Therefore, as I have set out over a number of years, Government must step up and act immediately to ensure that we have the 21st century infrastructure that we need to prosper."

Despite a lengthy campaign by Mr Reed and others, including a letter to the Chancellor calling for a full upgrade, the road was left out of both the Autumn Statement and the Northern Powerhouse Strategy.

Mr Reed added: "It is disappointing that Government has, over a number of years, consistently refused my calls and those of the communities that I represent, to upgrade the A595.

"Last year, during my Westminster Hall debate, I spoke of public support for the petition arranged by myself and John Woodcock calling for investment.

"528 accidents in the space of four years is unacceptable. Moreover, commuting times are unacceptably lengthy, congestion is unacceptably frequent, the road frequently floods and Cumbrians deserve better."

Carlisle MP John Stevenson also recently wrote to Mr Grayling to raise concern about the state of the road with regards to hospital transfers between Whitehaven and Carlisle, and the need for access should a nuclear emergency occur.