Where is the landslip exactly?
The landslip has occurred on a narrow section of the A592 at High Kingate, just north of Troutbeck and before the A592 becomes Kirkstone Pass.
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Does that mean Kirkstone Pass is closed?
No. You can still access Kirkstone Pass from the northern end, via Patterdale and Glenridding along the A592.
The minor local road known as The Struggle, which drops down from Kirkstone Pass to Ambleside, is also still open, although, as the name suggests, this is a very steep and narrow route and not suitable for larger vehicles, especially in poor weather/winter conditions
What has happened?
A section of the steep banking alongside the A592 at High Kingate has slipped, undermining the carriageway, following recent heavy rainfall. A large amount of the hillside has dropped down the banking into the valley below.
There is a void under road and the road safety barriers at the edge of the road have been left hanging in the air.
There is a considerable elevation difference on this section of slope and due to the weather there is an ongoing risk of further deterioration.
Do you know why there was a landslip?
Technical assessments and surveys are continuing both to determine the issue and to establish the best way to repair.
Our first priority has been to make the area safe and prevent access across the section of road that has been undermined by the landslip.
How long will it take to fix?
The technical assessments and proposals from specialist consultants and contractors will help us to determine timelines, but it is safe to say the repair will take months rather than weeks.
The site is particularly complex and challenging, with narrow access and steep slopes both below and above the landslip site. It will be necessary to access the site and this means access via a steep banking below the landslip area.
Until technical assessment and ground investigation are complete, it is hard to determine the exact engineering solution. The onset of the winter months make the site even more challenging with ground conditions that are so wet or icy.
Realistically, we are working on the assumption that it won’t be possible to commence main works until ground conditions improve in the Spring at the earliest, although we will be in a better position to comment on the repair methodology and likely timeframes when we have engaged the contractors and they have carried out their assessments.
Why can’t you just re-route the road around the landslip area?
We have seen it suggested that we could ‘simply’ chip away a bit of the hillside and re-route the road. Unfortunately, that isn’t a viable option.
There is a steep banking dropping down onto the carriageway at High Kingate and a steep banking below. The engineering (and cost) required for such a proposal would be huge - and anything but simple!
What are the diversion routes?
We are only allowed to sign official diversions along main routes, that can be accessed by the majority of vehicles.
So, while there may be shorter routes, via minor roads familiar to locals, we can’t sign these as an official diversion.
For that reason, the official diversion for vehicles travelling from the south/west (Ambleside) is via the A591 and A66, and from the north/east (Penrith) via the A6 and A66.
We are speaking to utilities companies to advise them and to ask them to consider whether they could postpone or reschedule planned works on the diversion routes while the A592 closure is in place and the council is also looking to reschedule any routine works to avoid further pressures on this part of the network at this time.
Is The Struggle still open – isn’t that a quicker diversion route?
Yes, The Struggle is still open. This doesn’t form part of the official diversion route for the reasons outlined above, but we recognise it is a route that will be used by locals in particular.
As the name suggests, The Struggle is a very steep and at several points a very narrow route and is not suitable for larger vehicles, especially in poor weather/winter conditions.
During the landslip closure we would therefore urge caution trying to use this route in an unsuitable vehicle or in difficult conditions and ask that people do not use designated passing places for parking or overnight stays, to minimise the risk of blocking the route, vehicles becoming stuck or preventing access for our gritters.
We are reviewing restrictions on this route to limit the size and weight of vehicles that can use the road during the period of the closure on the A592.
Our gritting teams will be treating The Struggle during the winter months to maintain this link between communities either side of the closure, but we are not promoting it as an alternative route and drivers are reminded that this road will be challenging in the heart of the winter months.
Have you put up signs informing people that the road is closed?
Signs have already been put up to warn people about the closure, but we are looking to add additional signage on all affected routes, including ‘matrix’ signs on key routes to advise drivers that the road is closed long before they get there, as well as to promote that businesses remain open and are accessible via alternative routes.
We are also looking to put new advisory signs around places like The Struggle.
What about the impact on communities and businesses, particularly in the Ullswater Valley?
We are very aware that the closure will cause inconvenience for communities and could have some impact on businesses either side of the closure, particularly hospitality businesses.
The council is working with Cumbria Tourism to share messages that communities remain ‘open for business’ during the closure and we have already held briefings with parish councils in affected areas and will be keeping all these key stakeholders updated as things develop.
We want to try to work with our communities at this time and are committed to supporting them.
Can cyclists get through the closure?
At present the road is closed to all users, including cyclists.
We are assessing whether any public rights of way alongside and down into the valley could be suitable as an alternative route around the closure for cyclists.