Cumberland Council is improving the water drainage system on the A591 near Thirlmere, to help keep the road safe and clear of standing water.
The A591 along the side of Thirlmere frequently experiences issues with water discharging from the nearby fells. This can lead to a build-up of water and debris between the edge of the carriageway and the rock face, creating difficulties for the council’s Highways team in terms of cleaning and maintenance.
The accumulation of water, weeds, stones, and other debris in a section can cause significant problems for culverts. This build-up prevents water from properly discharging from the area, leading to inefficient culvert performance and often resulting in water flowing onto the carriageway.
The Highways team are currently working on installing an open concrete channel that is designed to direct water to the culverts.
The width of the existing gap / channel varies between approx. 0.5 metres and 1.2 metres, depending on the location.
The scheme will considerably aid long-term maintenance, as the channels will be easily and efficiently swept in a way that was previously impossible. With the new system in place, water will be contained within the open channel and quickly discharged into the culverts, which will make it much safer for road users.
This year, the Highways team are planning to improve around 800-900 metres of drainage. The council will continue this process in 2024.
The work is expected to continue until approximately Friday 11 August. The teams working on the project are completing around 60 meters of work per week. As the work progresses, each section will be completed under a moving traffic management system.
The highway culverts that the channel connect into require regular maintenance to ensure proper functioning and prevent blockages. In order to achieve this, a specialist vactor unit will be used to perform a thorough cleaning of these culverts.
Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s Executive Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“I am delighted that the culverts on the A591 are getting repaired and maintained this year, and we have plans to do the same in 2024.
“This demonstrates the council's commitment to ensuring the safety and functionality of the roadways so that our network is safer for the driver, and more reliable for people to travel on.
“Thank you to the residents, businesses and visitors for their patience and support while we carry out this necessary maintenance works.”