More safety changes promised for M6 junction

Speed reduction measures have already been introduced on the A684

National Highways has promised more changes to a motorway junction over growing safety concerns.

The agency said it was "committed" to further measures for junction 37 on the M6 in Cumbria before the end of March.

The road carries the A684 over the motorway near Kendal and there have been a number of serious crashes and near misses.

A number of improvements have already been made but National Highways said it was looking at options to "further improve safety".

Bruce Parker from National Highways said: "We recognise this is a location where there have been a number of very tragic incidents in the past, so this is very much a priority location for us."

He said the "vast majority" of drivers were looking to check if the road was clear, but there continued to be instances when motorists did not notice the junction ahead.

"We are working closely with the police who are similarly perplexed why the issue appears to be happening," he added.

"If people are ignoring the stop signs, why would they not ignore a traffic light.

"What we don't want to do is spend lots of money making changes to the junction for it to have no impact."

'Improve awareness'

In a statement National Highways confirmed it was looking at options to further improve safety.

It said: "We expect to deliver those improvements, once identified, in the current financial year.

"We need to be confident that any additional measures will improve driver awareness without the risk of causing confusion."