MP Tim Farron Takes Junction 38 Petition to Downing Street

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron visited 10 Downing Street this week to hand over a petition signed by thousands of people calling for urgent changes to planned roadworks at Junction 38 of the M6 motorway.
The petition, which has attracted more than 5,500 signatures, protests against proposals to partially close the junction for up to four years while National Highways carries out essential bridge replacement work near Tebay in Cumbria.
Mr Farron was accompanied by local residents and business leaders, including representatives from Tebay Services and other community groups, as he delivered the campaign document to Government officials.
While acknowledging that the bridge repairs are necessary, Mr Farron and campaigners warned the current closure plan could cause major disruption for local drivers, businesses, and tourism. They argue that a full or partial long term closure could lead to significant delays, hurt trade, and place extra pressure on nearby towns as drivers are forced to use alternative routes.
In his appeal, Mr Farron pressed for the construction of temporary slip roads to keep the junction open throughout the project, a measure supporters say would ease traffic flow and reduce the impact on local communities.
Local business leaders stressed that maintaining access through Junction 38 is vital for everyday life and the region’s economy. They warned that prolonged closures could harm tourism, slow emergency services, and disrupt schooling and farming operations across the area.
National Highways has previously defended the bridge replacement scheme as necessary for safety and long term infrastructure resilience, but campaigners continue to push for adjustments that they believe would protect local interests while allowing the work to go ahead.