THE major roadworks on the A591 south of Kendal are on schedule and may be completed earlier than planned.

The work, which is primarily to repair two culverts running under the road which were badly damaged during Storm Desmond in 2015, began on October 22 and was due to be finished on December 21.

But a Cumbria County Council spokesperson said things were running according to plan and the work may be finished sooner than that date, though this is dependent on the weather.

The spokesperson pointed out that previously unreported utilities have been discovered under the surface during the work, but this had been dealt with and work was continuing to progress.

The work, which is costing approximately £500,000 and is aimed at alleviating the major flood problems in the area, involves the closure of a sizeable section of one carriageway with a contraflow system in operation.

There have been incidences in recent days of long tailbacks for northbound traffic coinciding with the morning rush hour causing delays of 10-15 minutes at times, though southbound traffic has generally been subject to few delays.

The CCC spokesperson also confirmed that two known road traffic incidents had taken place during the works, both of which are currently being dealt with by police.