ROUGH CRAG UPDATE - 17 APRIL 2024
I was invited to visit Rough Crag to meet the team working to clear debris and stabilise the rock face. In short, the work is progressing well and the CAN specialists currently expect to complete their work comfortably within the original 12 week estimate. 
The crag clearance work is reaching its final stage now. Once the plant and machinery has been removed the section of road beneath the crag will be resurfaced and the walls either side will be made good. United Utilities will then reopen their permissive footpath by the lake shore. The road will then be handed back to Cumberland Council Highways for them to decide whether it can be reopened to the public as a through route. 
A few takeaways from the site visit as follows :
The clearance and stabilisation work has been challenging for the CAN team, due to the height and nature of the crag, but they have done it safely and successfully, demonstrating their expertise on projects of this nature. 
The debris and rock removed from the crag has to be left within the SSSI to retain the associated habitat material. 
The road surface hasn’t suffered any significant damage during the clearance work. 
Some areas of the rock face have been stabilised by installing bolts, chains and other pinning methods. 
Many conifer trees have been removed from areas between Rough Crag and Dobgill where these trees could have fallen on to the road. However there are still areas where trees remain in a position and condition that appear to present a potential risk to the road and road users. United Utilities have agreed to give further consideration to reducing those risks.
So after almost 30 months of this current closure we can remain hopeful that full public access will be restored in the near future. We also hope that lessons have been learnt that will prevent any further lengthy closures in future.