A frequently raised issue raised its head again at the latest meeting of Borrowdale Parish Council – congestion on the B5289.
Grange residents voiced concerns that the journey through the valley to Keswick was taking up to 50 minutes at busy times.
They complained about the increased number of larger vehicles – caravans and coaches – that were adding to the problems and the lack of a pavement on the B5289 resulting in pedestrians walking on the road.
Residents said clearer signage needed to be installed to show where there are footpaths coupled with the cutting back of vegetation along verges which they said may encourage the traffic to flow better.
It was noted that there does not appear to be any management of the situation. Residents confirmed they were concerned that there is a risk of emergency services not being able to access the valley due to the congestion issues.
Cllr Andrew Webb said these concerns had been discussed for many years and raised with all relevant authorities on a number of occasions.
He added that the pavement is a ‘hardened verge’ and no authority claims responsibility for its maintenance.
The residents requested that Cumberland Council attend a future meeting to answer to what is being done to relieve these issues.
A representative of The National Trust noted it had got consent to widen the hardened verge opposite Great Wood to allow for disabled access.
Frustration was noted by councillors and residents regarding the lack of signage at Mary Mount to encourage pedestrians off the road.
The meeting heard this had been passed between all agencies – The National Trust, Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria County Council – but no-one takes any responsibility and signs are never installed.
