The majority of villagers forced to evacuate after a crack appeared in a hill above their homes near Whitehaven have been allowed to return to their homes.
People were evacuated from their homes in Parton and Main Road was shut after a crack was noticed in the hill above St Bridget’s Primary School last week.
A statement from Cumbria County Council said: “We can now confirm that the cordon area in Parton can be reduced, and that the majority of residents can safely return to their properties.
“Visual inspections from a team of geotechnical engineers have concluded that there has been some slippage to the bank but it’s not clear as to when this occurred.
“There is no evidence to show a recent landslip – engineers believe the ‘cracking’ that was reported to be a landslip is the ‘dying off’ of some vegetation as a result of the recent dry weather.
“Further monitoring and surveys will continue along with ground investigations which will help determine whether any remedial works are required to the bank.
“The advice of the engineers is that until the results of the further survey and monitoring has been completed, the risk remains to the immediate vicinity of the bank.
“This means that the cordon needs to remain in place for the school, the playground and the two adjacent properties.
“It is likely that these restrictions will remain in place for several weeks as a minimum.
“The rest of the cordon can now be reduced, enabling all other evacuated residents to safely return.
“The road closure on Main Street can also be lifted.”
It is likely the school will be relocated in time for the start of the autumn term and the authority said it was looking for a site where it could erect temporary buildings. The site was expected to confirmed soon.
