Work on the final phase of the Keswick to Threlkeld multi user trail is expected to start later this month.

A £7.9 million funding package was agreed in December to allow work on the route severely damaged in Storm Desmond three years ago.

Work has started on the temporary site compounds and access tracks, beginning at Burns Road, Threlkeld.

Additional compounds and access will be constructed at Brundholme Bottoms, Keswick Spa and Naddle Beck.

Access tracks are needed for transporting labour, plant and materials to and from work locations during the construction phase.

A detailed construction programme is being prepared for the whole build period up to autumn 2020. This will also include ecological work to ensure all legislative requirements and mitigation measures relating to protected species are met.

A spokesman said: "It is inevitable that sections of the route will be closed during works over the next 15 months to ensure that the health and safety of the public is protected.

"This means that there will be some inconvenience and disruption due to restricted access along the current path.

"We ask the public to please observe on-site notices, safety barriers and look out for updates about access on our website.

Funding has been approved so far from Highways England and the European Regional Development Fund. Additionally, community fundraising by the Lake District Foundation has resulted in a £130,000 donation all which will enable the project to go ahead.

During Storm Desmond, on 5 December 2015, two bridges that cross the River Greta and around 200 metres of path were completely washed away during the worst floods the county has seen.

Since then, the Lake District National Park has been working with key partners from the public and voluntary sectors on a plan to fully reconnect the route.

As part of this work a value for money study was undertaken and concluded that the restoration of the route could bring back about £2 million a year to the local economy.

For more details go to: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/keswickrailway