A ROUTE badly damaged by the devastating floods of 2015 is almost set to reopen.

Lights have been connected in the Keswick to Threlkeld Trail Tunnel ahead of its reopening on December 5 which comes on the fifth anniversary of Storm Desmond.

Works on the complex project have been completed by The Lake District National Park Authority thanks to a £7.9 million funding package from Highways England, the European Structural and Investments Fund, the Local Enterprise Partnership and community support from the Lake District Foundation.

Efforts in rebuilding the trail are aimed at removing vulnerable users from the hustle and bustle of the main A66.

The trail gives cyclists a safe place to cycle between Keswick and Penrith.

A kilometre of the trail between Keswick's leisure centre and the A591, was opened for public access in September ahead of the full reopening this weekend.

Lake District National Park area ranger Cath Johnson said: “It’s very exciting to be nearly at the end of this project and be able to officially open the route and share the on-site interpretations with the wider community. “We’d like to take the opportunity, once again, to thank everyone for their patience during the project and can’t wait to see the Keswick and Threlkeld communities enjoying this much-loved route once again.”

Works included rebuilding and repairing the five kilometres of the existing trail and reopening and extending the Big Tunnel.

Two new bridges were constructed with Rawsome’s Bridge repaired and strengthened. Around 200 metres of new path has been created. River bank stabilisation, drain and wall repairs took place along the way to protect the trail and surrounding land from future flooding.

Plans are in the works to officially mark the reopening in a Covid-secure way as the communities re-connect with strengthened resolve.

A spokesperson for the Lake District National Park said that the project is symbolic of Cumbria rebuilding itself after the devastating floods: "No-one needs to be reminded of the devastation Storm Desmond brought to local communities, but it’s fitting that this trail will be reconnected, strengthened and made more resilient to future flooding events exactly five years on."