RESTORATION work has begun and fences have been put up in Kirkby Lonsdale to prevent landslides and risks to the public caused by bad weather.

Work is being done on the River Lune to cope with the amount of rain and bad weather that has taken place recently.

Fences have been erected restricting access to Ruskin's Views and walkways have been built to allow the public to follow the river banks path.

Cumbria County Council made the decision to close the footpath at Ruskin's View which was described by painter and poet John Ruskin as 'one of the loveliest views in England, therefore in the world.'

The decision was made because of concerns around the safety of the footpath and forecasts of imminent bad weather which could affect the stability of The Brow.

The county council is responsible for the footpath along The Brow.

The town council, which owns the land under the footpath, has hired specialists to advise on how best to stabilise The Brow.

Deputy chairman of the town council Allan Muirhead said: “The Brow is at risk because of the force of the River Lune when it hits the bend immediately below and the amount of rain water which drains through from the fields beyond The Brow. Bad weather increases the danger of landslip or subsidence.

“Our consultants identified several areas at high risk so the county council, who are responsible for the actual footpath, advised us that they'd close the Brow when weather deteriorated as it has done in the past week or so.

“Public safety must come first.

“The town obviously regrets the closure of this important tourist attraction. Work is ongoing to identify an alternative route which would still allow people to see Ruskin’s View.

“Remedial work could cost in the region of £1m which can't be obtained from any one source. We’ve no way of knowing how long it will all take but we have to accept that the Brow will not be reopened until it is safe to do so.”