Residents share concerns about major plans for Crummock Water

There was standing room only in Loweswater Village Hall when locals got together recently to discuss the plans for decommissioning Crummock as a drinking water supplier.

Resident Roger Hiley arranged the public meeting and invited UU, the Environment Agency, National Trust, Rivers Trust and Highways.

The meeting in Loweswater Village Hall (Image: James Lusher)

"Everyone can see why they are doing it but it's going to be a mess and have an impact on the area," said Roger.

"To disrupt the area for one season will be bad enough but to do it for two will cause all sorts of extended misery.

"We are all still pretty frustrated and have concerns about footpaths, access and car parking.

"It's still very much in the planning stage so we're hoping that by giving them local information they can do it properly and to the best advantage of everyone.

"We want them to do it in the best possible way and with the least disruption."

While work is carried out lake access will be restricted and the popular National Trust Lanthwaite Wood car park closed. Alternative parking will be created, says UU, which plans to do the lake work in two blocks - from May to July over two years.

"It was put forward could they double the labour and do it in half the time - which would be less upsetting for people," said Roger.

The weir at Crummock, which United Utilities plans to remove (Image: Roger Hiley)

"We don't want to lose the beauty of the place, but if it is inevitable then we want it done in the cleanest, quickest, most environmental way.

"If we can influence that with a strong element of both science and common sense, then that has to be good."

There are plans to remove the weir structure, some of the equipment used for collecting water supplies and the supporting infrastructure. This could lower the water level in the region of 1.35 metres, says UU. It will also widen the lake margin.

The main works will take two years to complete, said a spokesperson following the meeting.

READ MORE: Plans for work at popular lake prompt outcry

“We are grateful to residents and the parish councils for their participation in recent sessions on our plans. This engagement is crucial for our project team, who will take on board the comments and concerns raised as plans progress," said the spokesperson.

“There are specific working windows for certain elements to be carried out, such as tree removal outside of bird nesting season and works within the water outside of the salmon spawning season, which means that it will not be possible to complete all the work in one stretch.

"Doing the work over a number of years will also help us maintain access to footpaths and the reservoir wherever possible, and reduce the intensity of disruption with regards to noise and traffic movements."