PROTESTERS are urging people to back a campaign against plans to stop drivers using a rural road on the shores of a Lake District reservoir.

Dave Tilbury, of rural motorsport group LARA (Land Access and Recreational Association), is leading the charge against closing the 2.5-mile West Road, off the A591 at Thirlmere.

The proposal would be funded by owners United Utilities who are working with Cumbria County Council, the Lake District National Park Authority, Cumbria Tourism and Bassenthwaite Reflections on a ‘family friendly’ cycleway around the water.

Mr Tilbury said: “This is a wake-up call for recreational and sporting motorists and motorcyclists everywhere. If you value your freedom to drive on the minor roads of Britain, now is the time to object.

“It (West Road) gets a small and sustainable level of traffic, and is regularly used by touring motorcyclists, classic car drivers, and people simply ‘out for a drive’.”

Cumbria County Council, which acts as the highways authority for the road, has written to local organisations to inform them of the plans for Thirlmere.

Mr Tilbury believes that, instead of closing the section between Dobgill and Armboth car parks, it should be designated as a ‘quiet lane’, a minor road appropriate for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and motorised users.

A county council spokesman said the public had until Friday, July 2, to put forward their views.