A MAJOR West Cumbrian route has recorded its highest number of crashes in recent years, data obtained by Newsquest Cumbria has revealed.
Collisions on the A595 between Distington and Whitehaven rose by 53.8 per cent in 2025, a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request to Cumbria Constabulary has found.
Road traffic collisions on the key gateway between Workington and Whitehaven rose to 40 in 2025, up by 53.8 per cent compared to the 26 recorded in 2024.
It was the highest number of vehicle crashes recorded on the section of the A595 over the last three full years, with 35 recorded in 2023.
Distington Roundabout to Whitehaven is part of a busy economic corridor used by businesses, commuters and homeowners.
It has seen a total of 119 collisions between 2023 and July 2026.
Cumbria Police said that it continually analyses collision data "to understand the causes" and ensure its "enforcement, engagement and prevention activity is targeted where it is most needed."
Police said their message is clear, "every road user has a responsibility to drive safely and help keep Cumbria's roads safe for everyone.
"While year-on-year collision figures can fluctuate, road safety remains a priority."
Newsquest Cumbria's FOI also requested collision data for the A591 between Keswick and Windermere and the A66 between Workington and Cockermouth.
Cumbria Constabulary's response to the FOI revealed that the Keswick to Windermere stretch of the A591 saw 95 collisions in 2025, an increase of 48.4 per cent on the 64 seen in 2024.
It was also the highest figure recorded on that route between 2023 and July 2026.
Up to July, 2026 has seen 63 collisions on the A591 between Keswick and Windermere, one less than the figure recorded throughout 2024.
On the A66 between Cockermouth and Workington, crashes are falling year-on-year.
Data received in response to the FOI revealed that police recorded 25 collisions on the route in 2023, 21 in 2024 and 18 in 2025.
Police said that while reporting standards are set nationally, recording systems and procedures can differ between forces.
Cumbria Police is one of the forces across the country participating in Vision Zero, a national ambition to totally eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on the road network by 2040.
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