Written on 01/09/12 by Paul Oldham

Whinlatter Pass Road Blocked

Update: the road has now been re-opened

Badgers have forced the closure of the Whinlatter Pass road (B5292) for essential repair works after a sett was discovered underneath. A Cumbria County Council spokesman said:

A collapse in the road surface was discovered yesterday following heavy rain and when the problem was inspected closely it was discovered that voids underneath the road had been created by a badger sett. Because badger setts are protected in law the repairs will need to take this into account. As a consequence this, will delay the re-opening of the road.

The county council is working with Natural England for the most appropriate way to re-open the road whilst still protecting the badger sett.

The road is closed west from Woodlands, just outside Braithwaite (see the yellow pin on our map - it's the first "P" marked on OS 50K map) for a 20 metre stretch. A diversionary route for motorists is available by following the B5292, onto the A66 for 11 miles, A5086 then onto Station Road and Lorton Street, returning to the B5292.

If you're thinking of going on our walks Words In The Woods or Whinlatter Forest - Heavy Sides Walk, which use that road, they both start on the far side of the closure from Braithwaite and Keswick as you can see on the map above.


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