Temporary Closures of rights of way are usually to allow works to take place, for example, helicopter stonelifts for Fix the Fells work or replacement of large bridges. They may also be made for reasons of public safety, for example motor rallies, forestry, utility works or building works that affect public paths. Orders are planned in advance, and can last up to six months. Notices are for very short term issues and come into effect immediately.
A longer term Traffic Regulation Order is a legal order regulating traffic on public highways. This includes footpaths, bridleways, byways, restricted byways and carriageways with a predominantly unsealed surface. They can be made for reasons such as:
They can restrict:
If you have any queries, please contact Nick Thorne, Senior Rights of Way Officer; nick.thorne@lakedistrict.gov.uk or
Decisions to make traffic regulation orders are taken under delegated powers. Under the Openness of Government Regulations 2014 we publish all these decisions which can be seen on the Openness Of Government page.
There are a couple of regular motor rally events which necessitate the temporary closure of Rights of Way in forestry areas to ensure public safety each year; the Malcolm Wilson Rally (usually held on a weekend in early March) and the Grizedale Stages Rally (usually held on a weekend in early December).
There are two sets of information below:
Before we make an Order we have to tell people what we intend to do and why. These Notices of Intention are published in the local press and on this website at least 7 days before the Order is made.
Date of change: 16 April 2024
We have made an Order to temporarily close part of footpaths 512026 and 512082. United Utilities are upgrading the water main which runs beneath the footpaths as it has suffered several recent pipe bursts. During the works the paths will be obstructed by open excavations and machinery. To enable these works to be carried out safely and efficiently we have made a temporary closure order for part of each of these paths. The works are anticipated to take 8 weeks. Alternative routes are available via the surrounding open access land and rights of way. A suggested alternative route is via the Levers Water dam (point A on the Order plan), then following footpaths 512081 and the open section of footpath 512082 and down the access track past the Paddy End treatment works.
Site notice and Notice, Order and Plan
Date of change: 26 March 2024
We have made an Order to temporarily close sections of footpaths 513039 and 513040 whilst renovation works on the buildings at Beckside are carried out. The sections shown in red on the order plan between points A and C and points B and D will be closed for 6 months, or until works which may endanger or obstruct the public are complete (if earlier). Alternative routes will be available during the closure through the field to the south of the buildings - suggested routes are shown in green on the plan.
Site Notice and Notice, Order and Plan
Expires: 28 September 2024
Date of change: 9 April 2024
We have issued a 21-day temporary closure notice as serious new faults with the decking have been identified (the decking is now flexing up and down) – and this poses a high risk to people using the footpath.
Network Rail have brought forward their planned works to replace this decking – and it is anticipated that the bridge will be made safe and re-opened within this timespan. If required, the Notice may be extended for a further 21 days.
The only alternative route is via the public road network. Please take care when using this.
The notice is in effect from 9 April 2024 and continues in force for 21 days.
Expires: 30 April 2024 (or earlier if the bridge is made safe)
Date of change: 18 January 2024
The Department for Transport has extended the Order temporarily closing this footpath where it crosses Cockmoss Bridge. The abutment and parapet have been damaged and there is a danger that the bridge will collapse. The structure will need to be lifted out, repairs to the abutment made and a replacement bridge installed. The path will be closed over the bridge until works are complete. No alternative public right of way between Whitebeck and Moss Side exists other than the public roads (A5074/C5047).
Extension Letter, Notice, Order and Plan
Expires: 7 August 2024
Date of change: 29 August 2023
The Department for Transport has extended the Order temporarily closing the bridleway between the A6 at Huck's Bridge (Low Borrowbridge) and Breat High Road, which has been affected by landslips, which are still deteriorating. The route is no longer safe for users on the original line of the bridleway. An alternative route exists adjacent to the closed path for walkers, but for cyclists and horse-riders the only alternative is Breast High Road (ford) and the A6 – which is sometimes impassable at the ford/stepping stones.
Expires: 3 September 2024
Date of change: 5 December 2023
The Department for Transport has extended the Order temporarily closing the footpath that passes alongside the Watermill Inn car park is narrow, and the riverbank revetment is collapsing - and this poses a high risk to people using the footpath. We have closed this section of footpath, and there is no suitable alternative route other than the local road and footway network. Repair works are due to be carried out – and the path will be re-opened when completed.
Expires: 31 October 2024
Following damage during Storm Arwen and subsequent rockfalls, the footpath to the waterfall in Stanley Ghyll remains closed because it has been damaged, made unstable, and unsafe - creating a danger to the public. The section closed is between the bridge at SD 1742 9958 and the lower falls at SD 1743 9953. There is no access to the lower falls, but the upper falls are now visible from the new viewing platform.
We are currently investigating what we can do to rebuild / restore this path, and also making the rockface above it stable to minimise danger to the public. We don’t yet know what we can do, and so this may take some time.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REACH THE BASE OF THE FALLS
All other rights of way in Stanley Ghyll are open, as is the viewing platform at the top of the site.
Notice, Extension Letter and Order- Stanley Ghyll Lower Falls, FP 408037- temporary closure
Expires: 1 December 2024
Date of change: 5 December 2023
Part of footpath 201023, along the bank of Newlands Beck south of Little Braithwaite (shown A-B in red on the attached plan) is closed to the public because the river washed away the bank and footpath during Storm Ciara (February 2020) with further subsequent damage. The extent of the damage has grown significantly since then.
The Order came into effect on 18 February 2020 and was extended until 31 December 2023 - the Secretary of State has now further extended this - until 31 December 2025. We intend to make a diversion order to resolve this issue. Meanwhile, please use alternative routes following public roads to the east or west and other footpaths, which can be seen on the map.
Case Officer: If you have any queries, please contact Nick Thorne, Senior Rights of Way Officer on 01539 792621 or nick.thorne@lakedistrict.gov.uk
Notice, Order and Extension Approval Letter- Newlands Beck, part of Footpath 201023
Expires: 31 December 2025
We need at least 10 weeks notice to process a Temporary Closure Order. Notices for 5 or 21 days can be processed immediately as we do not have to advertise them in the press. Costs of orders and notices are usually met by the applicant.
Please contact either your local Ranger of a member of the Ranger Service on
