A CAMPAIGN to ban commuters from a busy fell road is gathering pace.

Cumbria County Council has begun a study in the hope of alleviating long-standing traffic issues on Cold Fell Road – an eight-and-a-half-mile minor road between Ennerdale Bridge and Calderbridge that is popular with Sellafield workers.

County councillor Tim Knowles, who is behind to the campaign to restrict the road's use to access-only, says the route is "ridiculously over-used" and is making the lives of residents "a dangerous misery".

He said: "The number of users are likely to be increased - due to the potential for a new power station at Moorside - at a time when the government is cutting the money for road maintenance, especially for a road that's classified as a 'minor road'.

"Enough is enough."

He has now been supported by council colleagues who have asked its highways team to begin the study of traffic flow and the condition of the road – and councillors will make a decision based on its results.

Mr Knowles' campaign has been backed by Anthony and Gill Hicks, of Sillathwaite Farm close to Cold Fell Road.

Mrs Hicks said she dreads going on to the road at times, and plans her day to avoid driving on the road during busy periods.

She added: "It's incredibly busy and some travel at crazy speeds."

Cold Fell Action Group has long-campaigned for a safer road, and in 2011, saw the speed limit reduced to 40mph.

The group’s chair Bob Jones says speeds have fallen and the number of accidents involving livestock reduced, however he adds that "the problem has not been eradicated and more can be done to improve the situation".

The group will consider the county council's study at its next meeting.

And Sellafield Ltd – a founder of the Action Group – also points to a reduction and adds that it “encourages workers to drive in a safe and courteous way”.

However, Mr Knowles added: “Despite really positive attempts to get respect for a driving code on fell roads, livestock are still being injured and killed and this beautiful corner of the Lake District used as Grand Prix track for crewbuses and workers’ cars.

“It is time for action. The road receives next-to-no funding in comparison to the use it gets. The council’s constantly reducing highways budgets cannot sustain keeping the minor roads around Cold Fell in an acceptable state to carry what will be an ever-increasing burden of traffic.

“As there is absolutely no sign of improvement, I'm looking to find a way for these roads to be redesignated for restricted use.”