A classic convoy in Keswick helps celebrate an important road reopening after a storm.
Classic convoy in Keswick-Grasmere link road celebrations
More than 70 classic vehicles participated in a drive to celebrate the re-opening of a Lakelands road wrecked by extreme weather. MGs, Triumphs, and Austins convoyed on the picturesque A591 that links Keswick to Grasmere. Following severe flooding and landslides caused by Storm Desmond in December, 2015 a three-mile stretch was shut. Tourism in the area had been particularly hard hit with a 20% drop reported in Lakelands holiday accommodation bookings in the first half of the year.
Ian Stephens, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, says: ‘Recent months have been very challenging for many tourism businesses. However, the re-opening of the A591 is a major boost and signals the fact that this important arterial route linking the north and south Lakes is now operating normally.’
Roadworks and repairs were completed several weeks ahead of schedule. At the re-opening, David Marshall of the Grasmere Business Association expressed his thanks to several organisations for their assistance during the floods and subsequent repair work including Mountain Rescue, Air Ambulance, the British Army and the Flood Foundation.
In addition to the road run, the event also celebrated the twinning of the Grasmere and Keswick communities with guest speaker Vivien Reece describing the re-opening of the A591 as ‘a joyous occasion’.
Participants of the classic road run included members of the Lakeland Historic Car Club, the Vintage Motorcycle Club, the Honda Goldwing Club, the Harley-Davidson Club and Cumbria Classic Coaches.