Work on replacing a culvert for a Lake District beck has begun, following consultation with land owners.

The Environment Agency began replacing the culvert at Gategill Beck, Threlkeld, on May 10, constructing a new pipe to divert the existing watercourse.

The culvert will cross the road, close to the entrance of Threlkeld Business Park, and exit into the existing open channel section of river at Town Cross.

Erosion protection work will also be carried out, with the existing culvert being made safe, and filled in.

The work is expected to take about eight months to complete, with some traffic disruption expected at Fellside Road, and the access track to Gategill.

Stewart Mounsey from the Environment Agency, said: “Since 2019 we have been working closely with specialist engineers and contractors to identify and design a suitable long term solution which would reduce the flood risk from the failing culverts on Gategill Beck, which are an historic legacy of the lead mining in Threlkeld.

“Following our emergency repair works at the time, we have identified the safest and most cost effective solution to be to replace the culvert. We have secured Government funding to enable us to undertake these works and have been working over the last few months to finalise plans and designs.

“We are glad to see this project come to fruition, and look forward to the project’s completion, and the benefits this will bring.”