Work to start on road shut for a year by landslip

The landslip left a steep slope leading to the River Dee

Repair work is due to begin on a road which has been closed for almost a year due to a landslip.

The C5101 near the Dent Head Viaduct in Cumbria has been shut since heavy rain wreaked havoc in November last year.

It resulted in the carriageway being undermined and the creation of a steep drop towards the River Dee.

Westmorland and Furness Council's cabinet member for highways Peter Thornton said investigation work had been carried and preparatory work would start next week.

"We have been talking and working with the community since the closure and fully understand the impact and frustrations the diversions have caused," he said.

"We are also pleased to be in a position to start preparing for work from Monday and reconnecting this vital route in a matter of weeks, weather permitting."

The council said the closure and diversions had caused hardship for many people in the community, but support had been provided.

The slope where the landslip occurred is about 16m (52ft) in height.

Ground investigations and ecological surveys had to be carried out to understand the conditions.

Repairing the road will involve realigning the existing carriageway by moving the road away from the crest of the landslip.

About 12,000 tonnes of material will be moved off site, new drainage will be installed and retaining structures will be added, where needed.

The council said the construction work will take about seven weeks.