By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 10:02, Wednesday, 12 December 2012

A petition has been launched for a new link between the west Cumbrian coast and the south of the county.

Lady Mary Jardine

Campaigners have called for a bridge or barrage to be built over the Duddon Estuary, saying recent flooding, accidents and expansion at Sellafield have highlighted the question of whether the A595 can cope with its current level of traffic.

The petition has been launched by Arthur Sansam, who has called for the Department of Energy and Climate Change to use the opportunity of building a bridge to improve Cumbria’s green output.

He said: “This road is little more than a dangerous single track in places and the return journey takes around one hour. This road is also the main access road to Sellafield.

“A bridge across the estuary would cut the journey time to under 10 minutes, would save fuel and greatly reduce the carbon footprint of the vehicles making this journey. The bridge could also incorporate a barrage which could generate tidal energy and power.’

Lady Mary Jardine has been campaigning for a new bridge over the estuary for 20 years and said the community around Broughton had not given up hope of the new link.

She said: “The campaign has been going on for years. We hope we’re getting closer. For economic reasons, business and health and safety, it is absolutely essential that we get the new bridge.”

Calls for the bridge come after firefighters and paramedics battled in vain to save a man after his car crashed into a freezing river.

The man died in hospital after his car left the A595 and plunged into the River Lickle between the High Cross Inn at Broughton and Duddon Bridge.

First published at 09:50, Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk