A popular Lake District path will close to the public if storms are predicted, it has been revealed.
The Keswick to Threlkeld trail is enjoyed by thousands of people a year, and is used every Saturday by parkrun – an organised 5k free run and walk.
However, parkrun organisers have shared that the Lake District National Park Authority, which owns the path, has issued new guidance for the trail.
When high winds or flooding events are forecast, the trail will close for people’s safety.
The statement from the Lake District National Park said: “Due to the increasing number of storm events we see, combined with the Keswick to Threlkeld trail being vulnerable to the effects of high winds with it being a heavily tree lined route, we feel we need to implement more defined procedures for when the trail needs to be closed or managed in order to protect trail users.
“The trail is a permissive route and not a public right of way so as the landowner, we want to ensure the trail is safe for all users, including closing the trail with immediate effect at any time should we see the need to do so.”
It said it had been re-evaluating how it managed the trail for known forecasted storm events or for ones which happened without warning.
In all red severe weather warnings from the Met Office, the trail will close by default.
In amber and yellow weather warnings from the Met Office, when that warning includes forecasted winds with gusts at 45mph or above, the trail will close.
It added that at this stage there will be no physical barriers to stop people accessing the trail, but it was planning to install gates on the trail at set points.
They would be closed when either a storm is predicted, an incident occurs or planned work is needed that means the trail would need to be closed.
It said it did not anticipate that the barriers would be in place until spring/summer next year.
