Temporary Closures of Rights of Way

Traffic Regulation Orders and Notices

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

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:

  • avoiding danger to people or other traffic
  • preserving the character of a road
  • preventing unsuitable use of a road
  • for the purpose of conserving or enhancing the natural beauty of the area

They can restrict:

  • All or certain specified types of user -  for example, all mechanically propelled vehicles except motorbikes
  • Use to certain times or seasons - for example, days of the week or width/height/length limits
  • The extent of road affected - for example, the whole of a road or to a specified length

Decisions taken under delegated powers

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 two sets of the information below:

Intention to Make an Order

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.

If you have any queries, please contact Nick Thorne, Senior Rights of Way Officer; nick.thorne@lakedistrict.gov.uk or 01539 792621.

Current Traffic Regulation Orders and Notices

Glenridding Beck, Footpath 357058, Greenside, Patterdale Parish

Date of change: 17 April 2023

We have made an Order to temporarily close the bridge across the Glenridding Beck below Greenside which needs replacing, and we are unable to do this without closing the path.  The bridge and approaches will be closed between NY 3644 1739 and NY 3629 1729 for around two-four weeks from 17 April 2023. The permanent all weather alternative is via the rights of way on the opposite banks of the beck - during periods of low flow, a temporary bridge will be available just upstream of the works site at Greenside.

Site Notice, Notice and Order

Expires: 31 May 2023

Ravenstone Lodge, Part of Footpath 206022, Bassenthwaite Parish

Date of change: 31 March 2023

We have made an Order to temporarily close the first 20 metres (from the A591 at NY 2351 2982) of footpath 206022.  The closed section of path is shown in red on the attached plan (A to C).  The closure is required because the roadside wall has been damaged and has collapsed – and there is danger of further collapse – and this poses a high risk to people using the footpath.  An alternative exists down the steps – please follow on site signage.  No alternative will be available for the three weeks of the rebuilding works (dates yet unknown).

Site Notice, Notice, Order and Plan

Expires: 1 October 2023

Sadgill and Stile End / Hallow Bank, Byway Open to All Traffic 537025 / 548016, Longsleddale & Kentmere Parish

Date of change: 8 February 2023

We have made an Order to temporarily close the byway 537025/548016 between Sadgill (Longsleddale, NY 4834 0568) and High Lane (Kentmere, NY 4650 0502) to vehicular traffic whilst repairs to the surface are carried out. These repairs are due to start on 3 April 2023 and last for around a month - with the aim being to re-open the byway before the May Gatescarth permit day.  Access for pedestrians, pedal cyclists and horse-riders will be maintained at all times, horse-drawn carts will also be able to pass with guidance from workers on site.  There is no suitable direct alternative route.

Notice, Order and Site Notice

Expires: 3 June 2023

Huck's Bridge / A6 to Breast High Road, Bridleway 355041, Orton Parish

Date of change: 21 February 2023

We have made an Order to temporarily close the bridleway between the A6 at Huck's Bridge (Low Borrowbridge) and Breast High Road as it 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.

Notice, Order and Plan and Site Notice

Expires: 5 September 2023

Watermill, Ings, Footpath 534006, Hugill Parish

Date of change: 20 December 2022

The Department for Transport has extended the Order temporarily closing the footpath that passes alongside the Watermill Inn car park. The footpath 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.

Site Notice, Order and Plan

Expires: 11 January 2024

River Derwent, How, Footpath 201017, Above Derwent Parish

Date of change: 1 November 2022

The Department for Transport has extended the Order temporarily closing the footpath that passes between the old railway bridge abutment and the River Derwent to the south-east of How which has completely collapsed into the river.  We are looking at options to rebuild or divert this path, which will take some time. We have therefore closed this section of the path, and there is an informal alternative directly alongside, going over the old railway.

Site Notice, Notice, DoT Extension Letter and Order

Expires: 30 April 2024

Breast High Road, A6 To Bretherdale, Byway Open to All Traffic 355002 / 367004 / 355003 / 584026, Whinfell, Orton and Tebay Parishes

Date of change: 6 October 2022

The Department for Transport has extended the Order temporarily closing the unsealed section of Breast High Road between the A6 and Bretherdale to motor vehicles.  Work has been carried out to repair and resurface the road and there is a need to prohibit all vehicular traffic to facilitate a bedding-in period.  Access for pedestrians, pedal cyclists and horse-riders will be maintained at all times. There is no suitable direct alternative route for vehicles.

Notice, Order and DoT Extension Letter

Expires: 30 April 2023

Dale End Boathouse, Grasmere Lakeshore, Bridleway 542041, Lakes (Grasmere) Parish

Date of change: 1 November 2022

The Department for Transport has extended the Order temporarily closing a short section of bridleway 542041 alongside the boathouse at Dale End on the southern shore of Grasmere.  The work of taking down and rebuilding is progressing well, but complications have delayed the completion date. In order to do this safely and to have a worksite for machinery and materials, the bridleway alongside the boathouse is being temporarily closed and diverted to a surfaced path being created immediately adjacent.

Notice, Site Notice, DoT Extension Letter, Order

Expires: 15 May 2023 or when works completed if earlier

Stanley Ghyll Lower Falls - Eskdale, Footpath 408037, Eskdale Parish

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

Newlands Beck - Part of Footpath 201023, Newlands Beck, Little Braithwaite, Above Derwent Parish

Date of change: 1 December 2022

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 2022 - the Secretary of State has now extended this until 31 December 2023. We are still working with other agencies to try and resolve the difficult issues here. 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 2023

Permanent Restrictions

Langdales

Colton

  • Nibthwaite to Parkamoor
  • Path or road number: U5051
  • Dates of closure: Discretionary closures depending on weather and condition
  • Reason: To protect the surface and amenity

Colton

  • Rusland Pool
  • Path or road number: U5566
  • Dates of closure: Seasonally closed between 1 October and 31 May
  • Reason: To protect the fish stocks in Rusland Pool and both Ashes Beck and Force Beck

Longsleddale

How to apply for a Traffic Regulation Order/Notice

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 01539 724555, as soon as you think you may need to close a path.