Everything you need to know about the A591

Why is it closed?

The A591 has been closed since December, after a landslip caused by the Storm Desmond floods washed away huge portions of the road making it unsafe to drive.

When will the A591 reopen?

According to the Department of Transport, the road is set to reopen in May, six months after it was initially closed.

Why is it important?

The A591 is one of the main roads between north and south Cumbria, businesses across the county have noticed a drop in custom since the road was closed.

How much is the closure costing?

According to South Lakes MP, Tim Farron, the road’s closure is costing the local economy £1 million a day, just in lost business.

What is being done about it?

Kier Highways are currently repairing the road, as well as making some improvements to ensure that this kind of weather does not wash the road away again.

Once completed, the road will have a new retaining wall will provide greater protection to the road from the effects of erosion. It will be built using 4.5-metre-wide concrete panels which will be supported by the steel posts.

Are buses running along the road now?

Yes. There’s a Keswick to Grasmere shuttle bus that runs operate on an hourly basis from 7am until 7pm six days a week, with a two hourly service on a Sunday between 10am and 5pm, and a journey time of 45 minutes.

So why can’t cars drive over the road yet?

Cumbria County Council has decided not to allow all types of traffic to use the A591's western shore road and temporary road before it fully re-opens, due to "practical problems".

After two weeks of running shuttle-bus traffic on the temporary road to bypass "The Gap" at Dunmail Raise, a decision has been reached on which traffic will be allowed to use the temporary road before it fully re-opens in May.