Carlisle's MP has increased pressure on the Government over improvements to one of Cumbria's key roads - citing fears over hospital links and the potential for a nuclear catastrophe.

John Stevenson has again highlighted the A595, saying a secure and fast route is needed between The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the West Cumberland Hospital if health services are moved.

In a letter to Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, he raises further concerns about the state of the road with regards to the growth of the nuclear industry and the need for access should an emergency occur.

At the moment, the maintenance and upgrade of the A595 is the responsibility of Cumbria County Council.

Mr Stevenson is calling on the government to “trunk” the road so Highways England take charge.

He wants there to be a review of the road, with a view to improvements on speed and security.

Mr Stevenson said: “The road is becoming an increasingly important part of health service provision in the north of the county.

“There are concerns in the west of the county that certain services are being moved from the west and are being exclusively based in the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

“A large part of these concerns centre around the difficulty in travelling between the two hospitals, via the A595.

“A secure and fast route between the two facilities would go a large way to allay concerns about healthcare provision in the north of the county.”

Mr Stevenson said if there was an emergency at one of the nuclear sites then the results could be “catastrophic” if the road is obstructed.

He said: “Aside from the economic aspects to which the road will be contributing, the nature of the energy projects on the west will mean that aspects of security will become an increasingly important consideration around the road.

“As the main land route to nuclear plants if there were to be an obstruction - which at the moment is a common occurrence - during an emergency event, the results could be catastrophic.”

He also says a new nuclear site at Moorside needed a “secure access route” for workers and suppliers.

He said: “I believe the road is a vital local and national infrastructure route and should be recognised as such by being designated trunk status.

“Responsibility for the entire stretch of the A595 should be transferred from Cumbria County Council to Highways England.

“Following that the road should undergo extensive surveying giving full consideration to the road’s importance to local and national economy, security, and health service provision, with a view to carrying out work to improve the safety, speed, and security of the route.”

Mr Stevenson is hoping to arrange a meeting with Mr Grayling to discuss the issues.