MOTORISTS ignoring an urgent, unplanned road closure have been warned of the dangers of continuing to use their usual route.

Cumbria County Council yesterday announced that traffic was to be blocked from passing Dove Ford Farm near Grizebeck travelling in a northerly direction for 100m and C5041 Buckhorn Lane from the junction with the A595 travelling in a north easterly direction for 1km.

Urgent repairs are needed on old farm buildings along the roadside, and South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) yesterday applied to the county council for the emergency road closure. This morning, residents reported that drivers were continuing to use the road in the absence of any signage.

A Cumbria County Council spokesman explained that due to the last-minute nature of the request from SLDC, it may have taken until this afternoon to get all of the relevant blocks in place. He stressed that those continuing to use the road were placing themselves at risk by passing the insecure building.

The closure is expected to last five days, starting from today, but may be shortened if the work can be finished more quickly than planned. The diversion route is via the unrestricted section of the A595, A5092 and A590.

A way for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will be maintained at all times.