Sir Ed Davey Backs Campaign To Keep M6 Junction 38 Open
Sir Ed Davey has backed a campaign to keep M6 Junction 38 open amid local opposition to closure plans.
The Liberal Democrat leader visited Tebay to support Libby Bateman, the party’s candidate for Cumbria, in opposing National Highways’ proposals for the junction. The campaign has attracted more than 8,000 signatures from people seeking to keep the important motorway link available.
National Highways had previously proposed closing Junction 38 southbound for 18 months and northbound for a further 18 months while essential bridge repairs are carried out at the Lune Gorge.
The proposed works have prompted concerns locally because of the potential disruption caused by traffic being diverted away from the junction. The campaign has called for the route to remain accessible while the bridge repairs take place.
Earlier this summer, National Highways said it would carry out a full review of the project after considering feedback received from the community. The review followed growing concerns about the potential effects of the proposed closures.
During his visit, Sir Ed met with Ms Bateman and Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale. The meeting focused on the campaign against the planned closure and the importance of maintaining access through Junction 38.
Sir Ed said the Liberal Democrats were committed to representing the communities they served and praised Mr Farron and Ms Bateman for challenging National Highways over the proposals.
He said the proposed closure could have a significant effect on families, businesses, farmers and Cumbria’s tourism sector, while calling on National Highways to continue listening to local concerns.
Sir Ed also called for the vital junction to remain open while the bridge repairs continue. His intervention gives the local campaign additional political backing as National Highways reviews its plans.
Ms Bateman said she supported the bridge engineering work and recognised the importance of rebuilding bridges across the motorway. However, she argued that the scale and duration of the proposed closures would create serious disruption across the surrounding area.
She said closures over the next four years could result in traffic chaos in Kirkby Stephen and Kendal, while villages including Tebay, Orton and Grayrigg could face substantial delays.
Ms Bateman also praised the local community for making its case to National Highways and said the organisation’s decision to pause and review the project now needed to be followed through.
She welcomed Sir Ed’s involvement in the campaign, saying his backing would support residents seeking to keep Junction 38 open. The campaign has already gathered more than 8,000 signatures through its petition.
Junction 38 is located near Tebay and provides an important connection between the M6 and surrounding communities. The proposed works at Lune Gorge have therefore become a significant local issue because of the possible disruption associated with prolonged closures.
National Highways’ review means the final arrangements for the bridge repairs and the future operation of Junction 38 remain under consideration. Campaigners are continuing to press for the junction to remain open while the necessary engineering work is completed.
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