Following Storm Arwen in November 2021, the U7003 along the western shore of Thirlmere had a road restriction that was implemented on an emergency basis under a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, due to fallen trees, significant rockfall and debris on the highway. This made the road hazardous to all users. Damage was caused to adjacent land, known as Rough Crag, which is the responsibility of United Utilities, as the landowners.
Extensive assessments have been made by United Utilities and a geotechnical team. 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.
These assessments have concluded that the hazards remain to all road users and therefore the road closure needs to continue. The Temporary Traffic Regulation Order has therefore now been extended and had approval from the Secretary of State to remain closed until 11 January 2024 to allow Cumberland Council to introduce a permanent order (on the basis that it will seek to re-open the road when safe to do so).
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.
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 works to make safe and secure the remaining length of the U7003 (the Rough Crag area) so that the road can be re-opened to all users.
Cllr 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.”
Further updates will be provided in due course.