A PENRITH community group are calling for action to help reduce growing number of accidents on the A66 alongside congestion issues for the town. 

Evolve Penrith have penned a letter to National Highways calling for them to address accident blackspots alongside the traffic gridlock often faced in the town. 

Whilst the group are in full support National Highways plans to upgrade the A66 and plans for Kemplay roundabout and Temple Sowerby bypass, co-founder of Evolve Penrith, Jonathan Davies, said the A66 upgrade is "definitely needed". 

"The actual need is to implement some more measures on that section of single carriageway between two dual carriageways, which is where the biggest number of accidents is happening with people coming off that section of dual carriageway going the same speed, thinking that they are still on the dual carriageway, quite often trying to overtake. 

"A reduction of a speed limit here to 50 mph would allow for people to get that little bit extra reaction time and make a difference," he said. 

The group are also advocating 30 mph restriction around the junction to Center Parcs. 

"The economic impact on Penrtih when something happens on the A66, you've got a gridlock around the complete town. 

"Then you end up with a negative impact on the town as everyone just remembers being standstill in traffic," he said. 

Monica Corso-Griffiths, National Highways’ A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project head of design and DCO said:

"We want to make our roads as safe as possible and the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project will help improve safety and provide reliable journeys.

"As part of our proposals, we are looking to improve key junctions along the A66 and the Center Parcs junction is included in our proposals.

"Our application for the Development Consent Order (DCO) was accepted last month by the Planning Inspectorate and members of the public can register their interest and make a relevant representation as part of the examination stage up until the 4 September," she said. 

READ MORE: Reports of 'anti-social' behaviour as Gypsy and Traveller ceremony arrives in Dalston