COUNCILLORS and residents are calling for action to fix the regular flooding at Parkside Road bridge in Kendal.

Residents said the large pools of water forming under the bridge had been an issue for several years.

David Eastwood has lived on Parkside Road for 30 years. He said: “It’s very risky for pedestrians because when cars go through, at the very least they’ll get a soaking.”

Following a campaign led by Coun Clare Feeney-Johnson, Cumbria County Council’s highways team has requested permission to put a drainage soak-away on the adjacent land, which would be able to take larger volumes of water.

But Network Rail has refused, saying it would mean more water on their embankment and could cause erosion.

Coun Feeney-Johnson has requested a suitable alternative solution to be designed and costed – involving drainage under the road and on to the land opposite, which is owned by South Lakeland District Council.

Coun Feeney-Johnson said: “I have asked the highways engineer to meet with me as soon as the alternative scheme is drawn up so I can have an action plan with a time line.”

Former Kendal Town Councillor Chris Hogg has set up a petition that he is asking residents to sign.

A spokesperson for Cumbria County Council said the issue was due to the drains getting blocked with sand, the source of which was unknown.

“The council is aware of this issue. We have cleaned out the gullies and drains in this area several times since November last year after they became blocked with sand, stopping water on the road from draining away after heavy rainfall.

“We have inspected this section of road and found a further build-up of sand on the road and in the drains, which we wouldn’t expect in normal circumstances.

“We will be investigating this further and are exploring options to improve the drainage over the next three months.”