Steps are being taken to find a working solution to repair a heavily-used footpath prone to flooding that runs between Keswick and Portinscale.
Members of Keswick Town Council were informed that there had been no move forward on improving the puddle-strewn footpath since the issue was raised at the annual meeting.
The Lake District National Park Authority’s northern area ranger has confirmed to the council that members of the public had been complaining about the state of the path. The national park had contacted the town council believing it was within its remit to maintain but clerk Vivien Little had explained to the authority that it was Cumberland Council’s responsibility.
The state of the path has also been raised with Cumberland Council but it had intimated that it would not be able to improve the route as it would be very costly although it could be considered if third party funding was sourced.
Leonard Will, a member of the public, told town councillors that he had raised the matter of repairing the footpath with Cumberland Council on a number of occasions but had made no headway. He said that under the Highways Act 1980, the council must keep footpaths in a fit state for the public to use. He said that legally Cumberland Council has an obligation to maintain the path and should the town council be so minded it could take legal action through the magistrates’ court with the support of other bodies such as the LDNPA, the National Trust and Above Derwent and Borrowdale parish councils.
Town councillors were told temporary repairs had been made to the path in 2019 which had cost £20,000 but a more permanent solution was estimated to cost £100,000.
Cllr Sally Lansbury asked whether there was “some currency” in asking Fix the Fells volunteers to carry out works as this path gained walkers access to Catbells. She proposed writing a letter to Fix the Fells along with the Friends of the Lake District and the LDNPA to see if they would be willing to help.
But Cllr Markus Campbell-Savours, a member of Cumberland Council, proposed getting a member of the highways team to meet with town councillors and local representatives to find a working solution. This proposal was supported by members of the town council and a meeting is to be arranged.
