Work to correct Keswick's dangerous kerbs will begin later this year in the first part of a £400,000 scheme to make the town centre safer for pedestrians.

The move follows more than a decade of accidents caused by the uneven paving in the town's Market Square.

At first, the county council declined to examine the issue and in a statement said: "The design and layout was subject to a safety audit carried out at every stage, including post construction.”

But a concerted campaign by the town council, including a report that revealed ambulances had been called out 53 times between 2013 and 2017 to injuries caused by the kerbs, has forced the authority to investigate the situation and agree to take action to remedy the dangers.

An independent road safety review also discovered that there had been 208 accidents caused between 2004 and 2017.

The county authority has now approved a three year project to correct the problem.

The first phase, costing £145,000 is due to start later this year. It is beleieved the work will be held after the October half term holidays so that disruption is lept to a minimum.

The demand for action was led by town councillors Graham Kendall and Tony Lywood who is also a county councillor.

Mr Kendall said: "It is very good news. We have now got to make sure that the work occurs with the minimum pof disruption. I think the road safety audit we commissioned made the difference."

Mr Lywood said: "It is brilliant news that the county council has recognised that the surface in the Market Square now needs to be improved.

“These improvements to Keswick’s Market square will make a better, more easily manageable and safer environment for locals and visitors alike.

“I have worked very closely with the officers in the Highways Dept of Cumbria County Council who have seen the vital need for these improvements. I commend these officers for listening to our concerns and the proactive way that they have moved forward.

"There will be some disruption while these works are going on, but I hope that these will be mainly in the quieter parts of the year.

“I would also like to thank Town councillor Kendall who has been forthright throughout this process and steered through the safety audit that highlighted many of the issues that these improvements will deal with.”