Road shut after fatal fire may reopen in April

A road which has been closed since a fatal fire last year is due to reopen to cars in April.

One man died in the blaze, which ripped through a flat on Main Street, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, in December, and 20 people were displaced. Dozens of homes and businesses were affected.

Westmorland and Furness Council said people had since been able to return to their properties but nearby Market Street remained shut to vehicles.

Cabinet member for highways and Liberal Democrat councillor, Peter Thornton, said the road should be reopened in time for the Easter holidays and called it a "major milestone".

He said the works would "reconnect" one side of the town to the other.

The scheme will begin on Monday and last until early April, the council said.

It will include works to prevent further deterioration of the shops inside the Old Market Hall, the removal of rubble from the former Taylor's Building and the scaffolding around the site, as well as the restoration of footpaths.

When the road reopens, it will have a weight restriction in place for vehicles of more than 7.5 tonnes, the local authority said.

Thornton called on pedestrians to take "extra care" while contractors were on site.

"Meanwhile, the town is very much open for business, and I know the community would appreciate shoppers and visitors coming to experience the town with its high-quality independent shopping," he said.

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