THE planned closure time of a major road in the central Lake District has been revised to address the concerns of local businesses.

Cumbria County Council (CCC) originally announced the complete closure of the A591 between 6.30pm and 1am on weeknights from Monday, November 4 to Thursday, November 14, meaning a 40 mile plus diversion for motorists travelling between Ambleside and Windermere.

But after being advised of two major local events, the road will now be open on Monday, November 4 and Friday, November 8, with other planned closure times unchanged.

The planned resurfacing works on a stretch of the A591 from the Waterhead traffic lights, near Ambleside, leading south to Stagshaw, have sparked widespread concern.

But a CCC spokesperson confirmed that after representations from the parties involved, the closure on the Monday had been lifted due to a fireworks display at the Hayes Garden World Centre in Ambleside while the road would also be open on the Friday due to the 'Inward Eye' film festival at Zeffirellis cinema and restaurant complex.

Dorothy Smith, managing director of Zeffirellis, said she was delighted at the news but added that the closure had still led to come festival goers revising their plans.

"Cumbria County Council were very understanding and listened to our concerns, and we're very pleased the road will not now close on the Friday," she said.

"But the closure will still affect us.

"I've been contacted by people from Burneside and from the Kendal area who had bought tickets but have cancelled due to the travel problems caused by the roadworks."

When the closures are in force, motorists needing to travel the route connecting Ambleside and Windermere must divert via the A593 (Ambleside to Broughton via Coniston), A5092 (Broughton to Greenodd), A590 (Greenodd to Newby Bridge) and A592 (Newby Bridge to Windermere).

The road will re-open to two-way traffic at the end of each shift and a way for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will be maintained throughout.

No works or closures will take place over the weekends.

A CCC spokesperson explained that the narrow width of this section of road necessitated the closure for the work, which involves resurfacing and carriageway reconstruction.

CCC had already confirmed that following a request from the community, the road will remain open on the evening of Friday, November, 15, ahead of the Ambleside Christmas lights switch-on event the following day.

The additional days when the roadworks will not proceed could see the project go into a third week, though the exact dates of this will depend on how much weather conditions affect the work timetable.

Mrs Smith confirmed that the inaugural Inward Eye Film Festival will go ahead as planned from Thursday, November 7 to Saturday, November 9.

For more details of tickets and programming, email info@inwardeyefilmfestival.co.uk.