Residents of an Eden hamlet say queuing traffic on their rural roads is making their lives a misery and presents a danger to all road users.
Brougham, near Penrith, is, they say, being used as a “rat run” by motorists seeking to avoid standing traffic on the A66 and A6.
They fear the problem will only get worse as work starts on the A66 upgrade, expected to bring widespread disruption.
The B6262 is the minor road which links the small hamlet comprising Brougham Avenue and Brougham Hall Gardens with the A6 trunk road to the west and the A66 trunk road to the east.
In recent years, it has been used as a cut through for vehicles attempting to escape stationary traffic on the A6 on the approach to Eamont Bridge from Clifton or, more usually, to escape gridlock on the A66 when westbound traffic is held up on the approach to Kemplay Bank roundabout.
This can happen when there is an accident, a vehicle breakdown, traffic lights malfunction or severe congestion as a result of the sheer volume of westbound traffic approaching Kemplay roundabout. This latter happens more and more often, especially on Fridays and during holiday periods, though it can happen at any time of the year.
Brougham resident Gordon Rigg told the Herald: “As local folk will be fully aware, the B6262 road is narrow, twisty in parts and passes under a low bridge (12’ 3” height clearance). It is frequently used by pedestrians, sometimes with pushchairs, as a pleasant round walk from Penrith.
“Horse riders also take advantage of this normally tranquil route which can be turned into a hazardous nightmare by sudden bursts of fast-moving traffic trying to cut through from the A66 to the A6 but which soon grinds to a halt causing further congestion, thereby making the detour along the B6262 a complete waste of time
“The excellent Forties weekend is shortly taking place at Brougham Hall on May 12th-14th and other events along the B6262 such as Penrith show, Pony Club meetings and even Kendal Calling add to the seriousness of potential conflict with ‘rat run’ traffic.”
Local residents and businesses sited within Brougham Hall are becoming increasingly alarmed by this escalating problem with cars, vans, coaches and even HGVs using a road which was certainly not designed to accommodate them, said Mr Rigg.
He added that this was not a NIMBY matter – it was a matter of safety for all road users. “One of these days, someone is going to get seriously hurt. On the Thursday just before Easter, it was absolute chaos. A high lorry was seen travelling towards the low bridge, (which was demolished by such a vehicle some years ago) and a large coach had also to make a protracted about turn to avoid potential calamity.
“On the same day, a lorry brought down parts of tree branches which narrowly missed falling on a lady using a motorised wheelchair. Brougham Parish Council continue to address this matter with the local highways authority and are keen to work with them to find an urgent solution to put a stop to these dangerous occurrences which are happening more and more frequently.”
Another resident, Peter Ballingall pointed out: “With major construction works taking place at Kemplay Roundabout as part of the A66 Northern TransPennine project over the next few years, this already serious matter of inappropriate traffic use of the B6262 will be inevitably exacerbated.
“Meanwhile, we would encourage people who are experiencing this B6262 problem, to call the Highways Hotline – 0300 373 3736.”
Westmorland and Furness Council’s highways section was contacted for comment, but had not provided a response at the time of going to press.
