CUMBERLAND Council has come under fire for allowing horse riders access to a lakeside road while warning walkers and cyclists they face prosecution if they use it.

Cumberland Council proposed a permanent road closure on the U7003, which runs along the western shore of Thirlmere, following severe damage caused by Storm Arwen in November 2021. 

Previous assessments by the landowners United Utilities (UU) evaluated the full face of Rough Crag, determining hazards, necessitating the continuation of the road closure.

The closure meant that walkers, cyclists and horse riders were forced to use the busy A591 on the eastern side of the lake.

News and Star: Horse riders pass through Rough Crag pathHorse riders pass through Rough Crag path (Image: Tom McNally)

However now, it has been opened to horse riders with the sign displaying that any 'other road users will be prosecuted' should they use it.

Mark Hatton, a campaigner from the Keep Thirlmere Open campaign, said: “The newly erected barriers across the road at Rough Crag are a powerful illustration of just how ridiculous, scandalous and wasteful the closure of this road has been in recent years. 

"The public are still being taken for fools and anyone choosing to avoid the much more dangerous A591 and use the Thirlmere West road instead will be criminalised by Cumberland Council. 

"Whilst we hope this disgraceful road closure will be removed in the next few months, we are still not allowed access to the road or to see any evidence that it is unsafe”.   

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “The decision to implement an emergency road closure at U7003 Thirlmere was made in the interest of safety, following on from Storm Arwen.

"The high risk of further rock falls onto the highway posed a significant risk to everyone using the road. Additionally, damage occurred to the adjacent land, known as Rough Crag, for which United Utilities holds responsibility as the landowners.

“Due to the severe risk to public safety, the road has been closed and will continue to be closed until United Utilities can make the land safe.

"The barriers in place to prevent access are in the interest of keeping people safe and alerting any horse riders to potential danger should they wish to use the route.”

In November last year, United Utilities revealed that they aim to support the reopening of the road and to do so, they would need to make Rough Crag as safe as possible. 

In a separate announcement this month, the firm said the lakeshore footpath below Rough Crag has been reopened for walkers, allowing them to navigate a full circuit around the reservoir.

This decision was based on the results of surveys undertaken before Christmas, which confirmed the safety of the footpath.