The Kirkstone Pass between Windermere and Ullswater- Road Closures

Posted by isn31c (Lake District, England) on 02/27/23 02:35 PM

For anyone intending to drive (or take a bus) from Windermere to Ullswater this summer, please be aware that there are going to be major roadworks and the road will be closed completely over the pass on the dates noted below. At those times the diversion will either be via Keswick/A66/Aira Force or Kendal/M6/Pooley Bridge.
Local access will be open to Troutbeck (from the Windermere side).
13 March to 2 April,
5 June to 1 July,
11 to 23 September.

Also there will be evening closures from 7pm on 7 to 14 July and 16 to 26 October

Posted by ianandjulie

Yorkshire

02/27/23 02:57 PM

1282 posts

Hi isn31c -

Do you know if they are just resurfacing or whether something more major/radical is happening?

Ian

Posted by isn31c OP

Lake District, England

02/27/23 03:07 PM

5758 posts

They seem to be rebuilding the road and resurfacing. These works have been going on since last September, off and on-more on than off. The road closed in early September (which caught everyone out), and has had a series of very extended closures since.
Everyone had been promised a full and final re-opening by now, so this 4 day old news is very disappointing.
The County Council haven't said what they are doing (or why more work is needed) and I haven't had the chance to go over yet since the work started.
Hopefully giving some more room at some of the pinch points, especially on the Windermere side.

Posted by isn31c OP

Lake District, England

05/05/23 06:27 PM

5758 posts

Just a reminder-
the works this summer will be (all between Brotherswater and Hird Wood)-
5 June to 1 July 2023 to install the first part of the safety crash barriers
11 September 2023 to carry out resurfacing part 1
1 to 21 March 2024 to complete the resurfacing (this is an added phase and is the final phase)

Posted by isn31c OP

Lake District, England

05/09/23 06:44 PM

5758 posts

For Ian and Julie- I have finally been over the pass today.

The road is being widened as far as possible within the current land area the road has, curves are being straightened, kerbs and drainage added/improved and the road resurfaced.
There are currently two long stretches of single lane traffic light controlled road, but the road is considerably better than it was. They are either side of the summit.
Note that the Kirkstone Pass inn is now permanently closed and is being converted into who knows what.
While up there today I saw a Rabbies tour bus at the summit - I didn't know they came so far south.

Posted by ianandjulie

Yorkshire

05/09/23 08:28 PM

1282 posts

Thanks for the heads up. While I’m delighted to learn the road over the pass has been improved, I’m distraught to learn that the Kirkstone Pass Inn is no more. How sad. It’s not the first to go the way of all flesh, and it won’t be the last but I have happy memories of it and it’s part of the fabric of my life. I guess they’ll call it progress!

Ian