Independent local intelligence

This week MP says rumour about the former Commercial Hotel in Cleator Moor is untrue This week Workington Reds beat Alfreton Town 3-0 before FA Trophy trip to Ashton United This week Cumberland's gritters are out for the first time this winter, a week earlier than usual This week Cleator Moor community groups can apply for free labour and materials from the hub builders This week Workington cricketer Paul McKeown picked for England Lions over-60s tour of India
Local Branthwaite · West Cumbria

The Lillyhall to Branthwaite road's shut for new water mains, and firms say the diversion's no good for wagons Lillyhall to Branthwaite road closure brings lorry fears over narrow diversion

By Kris WM, editor 3 min read From newsandstar.co.uk
Marra Mode

Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.

Lillyhall to Branthwaite road closure brings lorry fears over narrow diversion
Photo: Steven Brown via Geograph / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (road towards Branthwaite)

The road's shut for about six weeks for new water mains. A Branthwaite firm says one of its wagons got stuck on the Gilgarran diversion, but UU and the council say there's nothing stopping lorries using it.

This one's for drivers, wagon firms and businesses round Branthwaite, Dean and the villages that use that road to get into Workington.

The road from the A595 at Lillyhall Industrial Estate to Branthwaite is shut while United Utilities puts in about 4km of new water mains. It's part of a £1.5 million job because the old pipe keeps bursting. The street works register says it started on Monday 26 October and could run until 4 December. It was meant to be 14 weeks, but they've cut it to about six.

The diversion goes along the back roads via Gilgarran. Trevor Brough, who runs AVS Cumbria Metals in Branthwaite, says one of their wagons got stuck on it not long after the road shut. He said: "The diversion is totally unsuitable and dangerous for heavy trucks to use."

Tim Chittenden, vice-chair of Dean Parish Council, said: "Heavily goods vehicles wouldn't like it because it's only just over single track, and there aren't many passing places." He says the road is how Dean, Dean Scales, Eaglesfield, Pardshaw, Mockerkin and Branthwaite get to Workington, and the main is "nearly 100 years old".

UU's having none of it. A spokesman said: "The diversion route has no restrictions and is suitable for HGVs and all vehicles." Cumberland Council said: "Some sections of the route are narrow, but there are no restrictions preventing its use." It says shutting the road was "the safest and most appropriate option".

And Ullock Bridge on the C2030 shuts for six weeks from Monday 2 November as well.

What you can do: check the closure and diversion on Cumberland Council's current roadworks page before you set off, and report any problems to United Utilities through its website. Both are in the sources below.

The road is shut for about six weeks while United Utilities replaces 4km of water mains. A Branthwaite firm and Dean Parish Council say the diversion via Gilgarran is too narrow for lorries. UU and the council say it is suitable.

This is for drivers, hauliers and businesses in Branthwaite, Dean and the villages that rely on the road to Workington.

The road from the A595 at Lillyhall Industrial Estate to Branthwaite is closed while United Utilities replaces about 4km of water mains. The work is part of a £1.5 million scheme following a history of bursts. The street works register shows it started on Monday 26 October and could run until 4 December. The closure was first planned to last 14 weeks but has been cut to about six.

The diversion uses minor roads via Gilgarran. Trevor Brough, managing director of AVS Cumbria Metals in Branthwaite, said one of the firm's lorries got stuck on it soon after the closure began. He said: "The diversion is totally unsuitable and dangerous for heavy trucks to use."

Tim Chittenden, vice-chair of Dean Parish Council, said: "Heavily goods vehicles wouldn't like it because it's only just over single track, and there aren't many passing places." He said the road links Dean, Dean Scales, Eaglesfield, Pardshaw, Mockerkin and Branthwaite to Workington, and that the main is "nearly 100 years old".

A United Utilities spokesman said: "The diversion route has no restrictions and is suitable for HGVs and all vehicles." Cumberland Council said: "Some sections of the route are narrow, but there are no restrictions preventing its use." It said a full closure was "the safest and most appropriate option".

Separately, Ullock Bridge on the C2030 closes for six weeks from Monday 2 November.

What you can do: check the closure and diversion on Cumberland Council's current roadworks page before you set off, and report problems to United Utilities through its website. Both are named in the sources below.