AFTER the excess of the festive period, January is always a slow month for traders and tourist traps.

Yet so far this year, the streets of Bowness centre - so used to the throng of coach trips, shoppers and holidaymakers - have felt eerily quiet, even for the winter period.

It could be the weather. But the fact that the road into the Lake District from south Cumbria was closed for five weeks is unlikely to have helped.

In the first week of the new year, United Utilities began a £40m project to improve water quality in Windermere.

The road has now been reopened for half term but will close again on February 27 until April.

Bowness, Windermere and all the beauty spots the people of Barrow and surrounding areas are used to being on their doorstep can only be reached via a much longer and winding diversion, but the main route from Newby Bridge roundabout - the A592 - has been closed.

Some businesses say they have felt the effects.

“It is extremely quiet, quieter than it is normally,” says Catherine Richardson, a shop assistant at Robinsons gift shop in Crag Brow, one of the main shopping streets.

“Yes, at this time of year not as many people come, but we do still get people. It is difficult to tell but I’d say it is definitely having an impact.”

A string of yellow road closure signs along the A590 did not help matters either. Businesses had to lobby United Utilities to ensure that it is business as usual as far as traders and cafe owners are concerned.

Mrs Richardson added: “They made it look as though there was no access. It has been a little bit better since the signs changed, so hopefully things will continue to improve.”

Mark Tomlinson, who owns the Choccobar eatery in Quarry Rigg, said: “We get a lot of people seeking us out. They come from Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle a lot of the time, but I have definitely noticed a drop in terms of our customers from the Barrow area. There are usually more coming through.”

Mr Tomlinson also campaigned for better signage along the routes into the Lake District.

“I had a good grumble to United Utilities and they changed it,” added Mr Tomlinson.

United Utilities has planned to lift road closures during school holidays - crucial busy periods for businesses.

But roadworks add to the struggle for businesses, some of them still feeling the after-effects of the floods which devastated much of Cumbria last winter - and resulted in five months of misery for motorists, tourists and traders alike when the A592 from Grasmere to Keswick was shut.

Paul Frain, co-owner of family-run Helen’s Chocolates, in Bowness, said: “When the Keswick road was closed we were down by thousands on the previous year so we are hoping for a much better year.

“I have not noticed that much of a dip but January and after Christmas are always quiet so I think the real test is still to come. Valentine’s for us is huge.”

Despite the inconvenience road closures cause, there seems to be wide acknowledgement that the work has to be done. United Utilities has held weekly question and answer sessions in Bowness’ tourist information centre to talk residents, visitors and traders through what is happening and why.

Mr Frain said: “These things sometimes just have to get done. It’s a treacherous road, I hope there are some improvements to it as a result of this.”

The work itself is building a 6.5 km sewer to help reduce the number of times the local sewer network overflows into the mere during heavy rain, which can have a detrimental impact on wildlife.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: “These overflows are a contributor of phosphorous, which can reduce oxygen levels in the water. Upgrade work is also taking place at the two wastewater treatment works which serve the area.

"The sewer is being laid in 300-metre sections, and we are currently located between Broad Leys Motor Club and Tower Wood wastewater treatment works.

"We'll be pausing work during half term, and will conclude the current phase at the end of March, as publicised.”

There are three phases to the project. The second is likely to cause similar disruption when it begins in November 2017 and lasts until April the following year. The third and final phase begins in November 2019.

The spokesman added: “Our engineers will recommence laying the sewer in November 2017 - thereby avoiding the peak tourist period.

"We recognise that this is an extremely well-used road, and consulted closely with residents, businesses and stakeholders, ahead of the work commencing.

"We also continue to do what we can to minimise inconvenience, through ongoing dialogue with local people. For example, we have funded a local bus service, ensured bins are collected near the work area, and improved site signage in response to feedback.

"We are also in regular communication with other utility companies, to coordinate any enabling work they may be required to do to ensure the sewer can be laid along the planned route.

"We'll be holding a public exhibition later this year, ahead of starting our second season of work in November.

"We'd like to once again thank motorists, residents and businesses for their continued patience, while we carry out this important work.

"Ultimately this will deliver a cleaner, healthier Windermere, which will be great news for wildlife, tourists and the local economy."