To compare the relative safety of the A591 along the east of Thirlmere with the U7003 along the west of Thirlmere, we can use the Department of Transport Think database. This records all road accidents reported to the Police in recent decades. 

This screenshot is of the roads in question around Thirlmere. The different colour rings show the site of road traffic accidents involving vehicles, motorcycles or bicycles. Red is Fatal Injury, Orange is Severe Injury and Blue is Non severe injury. What the map shows very clearly is how dangerous this stretch of the A591 along the east side of Thirlmere is (with many recorded accidents) and how safe the U7003 along the west side is (with no recorded accidents). 

The prolonged and now potentially permanent closure of the U7003 along the quiet west side of Thirlmere is forcing cyclists to chose between running the gauntlet of the A591 or staying at home. How is this consistent with Cumberland Council’s Heath & Wellbeing commitment and desire to encourage safe cycling ?