Farron Calls For Temporary A591 Solution

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has urged the government to fund a temporary solution to get the A591 reopened, in order to support local businesses.

The government currently plans to reopen the A591 at the end of May. However, in a letter to the Transport Secretary, Tim has urged the government to provide funding to allow a temporary solution to be put in place which would enable traffic to pass along this crucial arterial route.

Tim stressed the "crippling impact" which the continued closure of the road is having on the local economy, and urged the government to act to prevent local businesses being forced under. A group of local business leaders estimate that closure of the road until the end of May, as the government currently plans, could cost the local economy around £100 million, of which £60 million would be lost during April and May.

Although a temporary road and shuttle bus service is currently being put in place, the road will not be open to private vehicles.

Tim said: "The A591 is absolutely critical for local businesses, connecting the north and south of the Lake District. Without a flow of visitors to the Lake District, local businesses will be driven under. If the road remains closed during April and May, it will cost the local economy almost a million pounds per day.

"A temporary solution to the closure of this road to allow meaningful reinstatement of vehicular access would be a lifeline for local businesses.

"I am calling on the government to provide the funding needed to allow this to happen. The viability of a huge number of local jobs depends on this. Local businesses have already been badly hit by the flooding, and the government should invest the funds needed for this temporary solution to support the local economy."