A petition calling on plans for an extra lane on Carlisle's Warwick Road to be scrapped is due to be presented in Parliament.

The city's MP John Stevenson said that he has collected the list of signatures - of which there are currently more than 3,000 - from campaigners.

He plans to present them at the heart of government when Parliament resumes following the summer recess on September 5.

Campaigners oppose Cumbria County Council's £1m scheme, which would see an extra lane added between Rosehill and Eastern Way.

Those living nearby, many of who were badly affected by the 2015 floods, have mounted a fierce protest.

The council says the plan would alleviate congestion on Warwick Road and improve access to key employment sites, including the Durranhill industrial estate.

But residents believe it is unnecessary, and would be far outweighed by the upheaval it would cause.

They argue the extra lane would make it difficult to safely access their homes and result in cars travelling faster along the street, that the removal of trees would destroy the iconic image of Warwick Road and would affect property values.

Mr Stevenson said he is taking the petition, which was started by resident Neil Kilgour, to Parliament in order to draw attention to "an important local issue".

He said: "I have signed the petition myself and I support the residents on Warwick Road.

"I think that the money could be better spent on improving roads elsewhere and I don't think creating an extra lane is a solution to a problem that doesn't necessarily exist."

Mr Stevenson said he would be making his own representations to members of Cumbria County Council and that he has had attended meetings with city and county councillors that represent the area.


John Stevenson Mr Stevenson added: "I also think removing the trees from what is probably the nicest entrance into Carlisle is also a big mistake."

A public consultation on the £1m scheme has now ended.

Cumbria County Council said it is considering what are the next steps to be taken.

Mr Kilgour said: "Obviously we were pleased when he [Mr Stevenson] said he would support us and that he would take the petition to Parliament.

"The online petition has got more than 2,600 signatures and the one that was signed by people in person has got about 800, which we're really pleased with."

Mr Kilgour added that the group are delighted with the support that has been shown.

"We've had support from people who have moved away," he said.

"There's been one or two comments from people from social media but it seems that nearly everyone is against it."

Campaigners attended a meeting of Cumbria County Council's local committee for Carlisle on Monday to voice their concerns.

However they were asked to leave when they tried to speak up, as it was not an item on the agenda.

Following the meeting, a spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: "The council received around 70 responses to the consultation which closed last week.

"We are now reviewing that feedback and intend to provide responses to any commonly raised questions via our website as soon as possible.

"We will be discussing the consultation feedback with Carlisle City Council and anticipate being able to provide an update on the next steps for the proposal in the coming weeks."