A busy residential road is in danger of slipping into a river.

Cumbria County Council says complex work is needed to stop further damage to Etterby Road in Carlisle, which sits above the River Eden, amid fears that it could be lost to erosion.

Investigative work is underway and those in the area have been warned that the route could be closed for up to two months while the work is carried out.

Supporters hope the scheme will stop yet more city residents falling foul of the elements, as hundreds of Cumbrian flood victims remain out of their homes nearly 17 months on from Storm Desmond.

The landslip prevention project is between the junctions with Scaurbank Road and Riverbank Court in Belah.

It is not yet known how much the project is likely to cost.

Discussions have been held with those living at nearby Caledonian Buildings and further talks are planned.

David Haughian, the council’s project manager, said that work is necessary to prevent further erosion.

“It’s an area where the River Eden meanders,” he said.

“At the top, next to the road, it’s only a gap of about three metres to what is nearly a straight drop down to the river.

“Due to erosion, slips have occurred and we need to make sure that it doesn’t become more problematic where the river is essentially scouring the bank, which is a mix of sand and gravel.”

Mr Haughian explained that extensive work will be undertaken both at the riverbank and on Etterby Road to prevent further erosion.

“What we’re intending to do is rock pile at the bottom, which will offer protection to the bank,” he said.


David Haughian “At the top, we’ll be putting sheet piling in, which will be about 15 metres deep. These will then be ground anchored under the road to keep them in place. The work at the bottom and at the top will ensure the road is protected in future.

“It’s part of other flood resilience work that we’re doing. We’re also working in Wetheral and at Gaitsgill, near Dalston.”

Cumbria County Council has commissioned Story Contracting to undertake the work.

“At the moment we’re checking for things like the location of gas, water, electricity and broadband connections under the road and we hope to be finished by the middle of next week,” Mr Haughian said.

A further consultation is also planned with more residents in the area to explain the nature of the work.

Mr Haughian added: “It’s important to consult with people living nearby because of the nature of the work. It’s going to involve heavy machinery, including pile drivers, so there are going to be disturbances.

“However we want to make sure that all work is undertaken during the day and on weekdays only. We won’t be working at weekends or evenings. We will also be placing a mattress on the road to absorb some of the energy.

“We’re also mitigating with homeowners to assess their properties so we can ensure that we don’t cause any damage – and if we do, we then make sure that it’s put right.”

On the road closure, Mr Haughian added: “Although it could be for up to two months, we’re hoping to have the work done in three to four weeks.

“We’ll be looking at what diversions will be needed and whether Stainton Road will need to be improved if cars will be travelling through there instead.”

Mr Haughian said the equipment to install the rock piles will be brought in from the other side of the Eden.”