A MAJOR road into Keswick will remain closed over Christmas because a flood alleviation scheme is taking longer than expected to finish.

A meeting of the county council’s Local Committee for Allerdale heard that highways chiefs had considered putting in traffic lights on Penrith Road while the extra work was carried out.

But they have decided that this would cause even more disruption for the town and have decided to keep the road closed during the festive break.

The closure is expected to remain until the first week in February.

Details of the delay emerged 10 years on from floods that wreaked havoc in Keswick and Cockermouth in Novemver 2009.

Keswick was also hit by flooding in January 2005 and again during Storm Desmond in December 2015.

Lizzy Shaw, the county council’s area manager for Allerdale, said that the scheme had taken “longer than anticipated” because of some boulders and essential work to re-direct the drains.

One options had been to open Penrith Road but under traffic lights over the Christmas period, but the other was for it to remain closed.

Ms Shaw said the “preferred option” had been to keep the road closed, adding that portfolio-holders, members of the Local Committee as well as the town council had all been consulted on the delay.

She said: “It was felt that to open it and put it under lights for a short period of time and then bring the diversion back in would cause a problem and that having lights on that road might actually cause a backup in the town.”

The county council, the Environment Agency and Keswick Flood Action Group are investing approximately £2m in the works.

The scheme involves the construction of a new flood storage basin at Springs Field, and a new pumping station underneath Penrith Road, which will discharge into the River Greta.

Improvements also include drainage to help the run-off of surface water in the ‘Castlehead Drain’ between the basin and pumping station.

In a statement after the meeting the county council said that during the excavation for the pumping station on Penrith Road, contractors discovered a United Utilities water main under the road, which required a diversion.

Drivers will be able to follow the current diversion system via the Crosthwaite roundabout and advance signage will be maintained throughout the schedule of works.

Philip Greenup, the council’s acting assistant director for highways and transport, said: “We are disappointed that the project will be delayed and apologise to those affected by the extension to the road closure. We would like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their cooperation and understanding while we carry out this essential flood prevention work.”

Weekly drop-in sessions are in Keswick Library on Tuesdays between 10am and 12pm.