A safety study is to be carried on one of Cumbria's most notorious stretches of road. The Highways Agency says it is to carry out the investigation into the A590, which has seen more than 20 deaths since 1988.
The move follows a spate of fatal accidents on the road.
In August, Furness coroner Ian Smith said he was writing to the Department of Transport after presiding over the inquest of a 26-year-old road accident victim.
Furness MP John Hutton has received confirmation from the Highways Agency that a full study will be undertaken into the trunk road's safety and reliability.
On 17 September an inquest heard about the deaths of three teenagers on the A590 near High Newton.
Matter of urgency
Again, Furness coroner Ian Smith expressed concern at the safety record of the road, which is used by more than 19,000 vehicles a day.
During the hearing he said there was "no margin for error" for drivers who used the route.
The A590 is the only road link to the M6 from Barrow and is the most heavily used trunk road in Cumbria.
The Department of Transport is currently considering proposals for a bypass at High and Low Newton.
Development agency Furness Enterprise is urging the department to press ahead with the bypass as a matter of urgency.
A department spokesman said no decision had yet been made on the proposed bypass.
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