The A592 at High Kingate, the steep stretch of road between Troutbeck and the Kirkstone Pass Inn, has fully re-opened at lunchtime after being closed since November following a major landslip.
Work completed on schedule for peak season
Westmorland and Furness Council said the complex repair programme, which began in May, has been completed on schedule in time for the main school holidays. The route is a key link between Windermere and Ullswater and is heavily used by both local traffic and visitors accessing the higher fells.
“We have been acutely aware the impact this closure has had on local communities and businesses that rely on this vital link.”
The stabilisation work involved substantial engineering measures to rebuild and strengthen the embankment. Contractors installed 70 steel soil nails, laid engineered coarse rock fill and constructed a new retaining wall faced with natural slate. The carriageway itself was reconstructed with new foundations, resurfacing, drainage and road markings.
Additional maintenance and environmental work
While the road was closed for the landslip repair, the council took the opportunity to carry out additional maintenance along the corridor. Works included:
- drainage repairs and improvements
- inspection and stabilisation of the rock face at Raven Crag
- pothole repairs
- removal of invasive Himalayan balsam
- removal of trees affected by ash dieback
To help the long-term stability and appearance of the embankment, the finished slope has been covered with topsoil, seeded and fitted with erosion control matting so that vegetation can establish and eventually conceal the protective steel mesh and soil nails.
Practical information for drivers
The council has confirmed the road reopened at lunchtime on the day of the announcement. Drivers using the A592 should remain alert for any residual signs of works and for summer traffic in what is one of the Lake District’s busiest tourist corridors.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Initial closure after landslip | November 2025 |
| Repair work commenced | May 2026 |
| Road fully re-opened | 17 July 2026 (lunchtime) |
Councillor Peter Thornton, the council’s cabinet member for Highways and ICT, described the effort as a “fantastic” joint undertaking by highways staff, consultants and contractors to deliver a demanding repair within a restricted and challenging location.
The reopening will provide immediate relief for residents and businesses that had to reroute during the closure and restores a principal tourist route for the busy summer period. The council will continue to monitor the site as vegetation establishes on the new embankment and as the season progresses.
