Police are renewing their appeal to motorists to take extra care when travelling in Cumbria today.
Areas across Cumbria have experienced heavy rainfall with the weather expected to follow a similar pattern during the next few hours.
The results of heavy rainfall are being felt across many areas of the county, with numerous roads either closed or significantly impacted due to flooding.
Roads affected include:
- B6260 – Bridge Street in Appleby closed between Low Wiend and the Sands area
- A592 – road between Newby Bridge and Bowness is passable with care
- A591 – road in Kendal between Winter Lane and Plumgarth roundabout is passable with care
- A6 – road at Levens is closed
- A6 – Main Street in Shap is closed
- B5282 – Station Road in Arnside is passable with care
There are further roads across the county that are passable with care. Motorists are being urged to drive to the conditions, reduce their speed and not to attempt to drive through deep water.
There are further roads across the county that are passable with care. Motorists are being urged to drive to the conditions, reduce their speed and not to attempt to drive through deep water.
Superintendent Carl Patrick, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “Agencies across the county are working hard, including many working throughout the night in order to limit the effect of this heavy rainfall.
“Drivers, as always, are asked to make sure their cars are ready and legal to drive in these treacherous conditions being experienced today. Please forward plan any journey, affording extra time to deal with slower travel times and the additional hazards of wind and surface water which are present. All motorists are asked to drive in accordance with the conditions and take extra care for their own safety.”
Highways England’s Head of Road Safety, Richard Leonard, said: “We’re encouraging drivers to check the latest weather and travel conditions before setting off on journeys and consider if their journey is necessary and can be delayed until conditions improve. If you do intend to travel, then plan your journey and take extra care, allowing more time for your journey.
“In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down.
“Drivers of other vehicles should be aware of sudden gusts of wind which can affect handling and braking, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, and motorbikes plenty of space. In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow signed diversion routes.”
People making journeys should drive with extra care, especially at exposed sections of the motorway network. Unladen curtain-sided vehicles are particularly vulnerable to windy conditions on high ground.
Richard Leonard added: “Curtains on empty high-sided vehicles can act as sails when closed, and when high winds arise, we advise HGV drivers to open their curtain-sided vehicles if they are empty.”
A Freight Transport Association advisory states “When driving an empty curtain-sided vehicle, tie both curtain sides at one end of the vehicle to reduce the effect of side winds”.
Police are working with partner agencies including the Environment Agency, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service and Cumbria Highways to ensure the safety of motorists and residents in affected areas.
For the latest information on the county’s roads please visit www.cumbria.police.uk/traffic-link-map or contact the Cumbria Highways hotline on 0300 303 2992.
Keep up-to-date with the weather at www.metoffice.gov.uk and the latest flood situation at www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding or follow @EnvAgencyNW on Twitter for the latest updates.
