Lake District's Garburn Pass made a 'restricted byway'

A popular fell pass in the Lake District has been declared a "restricted byway" by an inspector.

Now drivers and motorcyclists who use the Garburn Pass between Troutbeck and Kentmere will be committing a criminal offence.

The route has long been the subject of a safety debate because of its gradient, turns and rainfall.

It received £55,000 of government funding after the 2009 floods, but is still not safe for motorised vehicles.

The funding means the pass is in a better condition than it has been for hundreds of years.

National Park countryside access adviser Nick Thorne said it had always been difficult to maintain: "As long ago as 1719 part of the route was repaired because it was not passable.

"The storms of November 2009 badly damaged both sides of the pass, especially the western side where the track effectively became a river, and most of the surface ended up on the main road.

"We have now completely rebuilt the worst affected areas."