A 12-metre long section of the B5300 has been washed away after the sea breached defences in stormy weather on a spring tide.
The stretch of road at Dubmill, approximately one mile north of Allonby, collapsed after the water breached the sea wall and undermined the road on Sunday. A section of carriageway 12-metres long and three metres deep has disappeared. Around half the width of the carriageway is already missing and there is a real danger that the rest is unstable and likely to collapse.
Local businesses remain open as usual, but the road itself is closed from the Salta junction to the south of the collapse to the Mawbray to the north.
Motorists are using alternative routes. Heavy Goods Vehicles are being required to follow an official diversion along the A595 to Aspatria and Silloth. While local drivers may know alternative routes, width restriction will be used to keep HGVs and other wide vehicles away from inappropriately narrow routes.
With the tide remaining high and more rough weather forecast in the days ahead, it will not be possible to begin repairs for several days. When work can begin, repairs are expected to take around four weeks and the road is likely to have to remain closed until the job is complete.
Cumbria Highways is working to get this stretch of the B5300 back to normal as soon as possible and is appealing for people's patience in the meantime.
Any media wanting to photograph or film the damaged road will need to leave their vehicles at the road closure and approach on foot taking extra care.
End
Media enquiries to Justin Hawkins, Media Officer on 01228 606334