Land next to an erosion-hit coast road is continuing to fall into the sea as work to protect and reinstate it is awaited.

The B5300 Maryport to Silloth road has been shut since February 20 at Dubmill Point after an inspection resulted in an emergency road closure.

The inspection had shown that the width of the land between the carriageway and the drop to the beach had reduced from 4.8m just before Christmas to 2.9m just two months later.

Cumbria County Council has now received permission from the Marine Management Organisation to install rock armour on the beach and reinstate the fallen bank.

It is still awaiting consent from Natural England, because of the presence of natterjack toads nearby, before work can begin.

A compound has already been set up at the site and the council hopes to have stone for the work delivered to the site later this week ready for work to start as soon as permission is given.

A council spokesman said the site was being monitored to check on ongoing erosion.

He said: "As a precaution the B5300 was checked at 10.50pm Sunday night following high tides to ensure there was no tidal wash onto the carriageway and also any obvious significant erosion or sign of collapse at Dubmill.

"Clearly it’s limited to the extent of inspection that can be done at this time of night without putting staff at risk in very bad weather, so it was checked again yesterday morning.

"There is some further erosion, but nothing that changes what we’re doing.

"We have the MMO licence, we have notified them of our intent to work and are now finalising consent with Natural England for the protected species licence.

"We’re getting all the materials in place so we’re ready to go as soon as we get the green light."