AN UNKEMPT roundabout in a Lake District honeypot town is in line for improvement works.

A Gazette reader described the mini roundabout at Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, as "the abysmal sight that most visitors get to see on their arrival into the busiest tourist spot in the Lakes".

The Bowness resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "The signs are bent and tatty and no attempt has been made to rid the spot of weeds and landscape the area. It’s truly shocking."

She said nothing had been done to tidy up the traffic island since a 60ft horse chestnut tree was chopped down there in April 2018. The action by Cumbria County Council, taken on road safety grounds, dismayed many locals at the time.

A spokesman for CCC said works were "planned to be carried out during the next financial year (2020/21)" at the location.

This follows a consultation event was held in May, attended by 76 people, where several proposals were on display.

“Following a consultation earlier this year on possible options to reconfigure the mini roundabout at Crag Brow, the council will be progressing Option 1," said the spokesman.

"This option will involve removing the existing triangular island and creating a larger, more traditional mini roundabout. We will also be widening the footways and introducing pedestrian refuges as part of this scheme.

"These changes will improve road safety for both drivers and pedestrians, and make it easier for road users to understand how to negotiate the roundabout.”

The cost of the scheme is still being finalised, the spokesman added.

The mayor of Windermere said the roundabout's appearance had been considered several times by Windermere Town Council, with comments passed on to Cumbria county councillor Jim Bland.

"It’s a focal point for Bowness, and in that context it needs to be addressed as soon as possible, which I’m sure they [CCC] are doing, from what we understand," said Cllr Saunders.

"But these things do take considerable time in such an area."

He said individual councillors had each decided on their favoured option, adding: "Generally the feeling was we didn’t want traffic lights."