A Lake District road damaged following Storm Arwen will remain closed until next year at the earliest.
The U7003 along the western shore of Thirlmere had an emergency road restriction put in place after the 2021 storm, due to fallen trees, significant rockfall and debris.
Damage was caused to adjacent land, known as Rough Crag, which is the responsibility of landowner United Utilities.
The restriction was temporary, but in an update from Cumberland Council, it said assessments by United Utilities and a geotechnical team have concluded that dangers still remain and the road closure must remain in force.
It said: “The areas requiring assessment included the full face of Rough Crag and areas out of sight of the general public at the top and to the side of the crag. This also included assessment of damage to trees, hazards of exposed and loose tree root plates and loose or fallen rock on the Rough Crag section.”
The temporary closure has now been extended and had approval from the Secretary of State to remain closed until January 11 to allow Cumberland Council to introduce a permanent order – on the basis that it will seek to reopen the road when safe to do so – the authority said.
Statutory consultation and advertisement on the permanent order is open from 25 August to 22 September. Objections and representations will be considered by Cumberland Council’s Highways and Transport Strategic Board.
The council added: “In the meantime, due to the very serious risk to public safety the prohibition of all traffic restriction (full road closure) at Rough Crag has to remain in place and be implemented on a permanent basis to continue the restriction in force.
“Cumberland Council is carrying out its own independent review of the latest survey report provided by United Utilities.
“Once this has been concluded it will inform the content of the Statutory Notice (under Section 151 Highways Act 1980) which the council will then serve upon United Utilities to carry out work to make safe and secure the remaining length of the U7003 (the Rough Crag area) so that the road can be reopened to all users.”
Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: “Cumberland Council wishes to reassure our residents and business we are fully committed to the U7003 being reopened as soon as is practicable. This is what officers are working towards with no other agenda.”
