The work of a collaboration of agencies which form part of Cumbria’s Road Safety Partnership has resulted in a number of preventative measures being put in place at a high-harm location identified on the road network.
In May 2024, stakeholders within the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership identified Junction 37 of the M6 as a high-harm location through the utilisation of Cumbria Road Harm Index.
Through investigation and collaboration with partners including Westmorland & Furness Council, National Highways, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Cumbria Constabulary, a number of potential solutions were considered to reduce harm and protect the public at this location.
All partners considered a number of factors including speed data, traffic counts and previous collisions. The following action was taken and measures put in place by December 2024:
Westmorland & Furness Council – Upgrades on the A684 including the introduction of double white centre lines to prohibit overtaking, upgraded road studs, yellow ‘rumble strips’, red high friction banding and SLOW markings across 500 metres of road.
National Highways – Upgrade of junction to STOP layout with relevant signs and road markings on both North and South exit slip roads, carriageway resurfacing, and road marking improvements on the exit slip roads.
Cumbria Police – Roads Policing proactivity and adoption of ‘high-harm’ area patrolling.
Inspector Jack Stabler of Cumbria Police, Chair of the Road Safety Partnership, said: “This is a brilliant example of partnership collaboration, with agencies coming together and all looking at steps they can each take to reduce harm at a location.
“Since the prevention measures were implemented, there have been no significant collisions at Junction 37.
“Cumbria Road Safety Partners meet on a monthly basis with the strategic aim of keeping you safe on our road network.”
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