Residents have raised concerns over a flooded cycle path which is blocking access for disabled people and leaving school children with soaked feet.

The flood water on the Mirehouse cycle path, near the Nisa store, is forcing residents to backtrack and take alternative, longer routes.

Carl ‘Wammo’ Walmsley, who represents Whitehaven South on Copeland Council, said something needed to be done to tackle the problem.

Disabled residents living on Mirehouse say the flood water makes it impossible for them to get through.

Amy-Louise Watson said: “As a disabled resident who uses a mobility scooter to get about, it is very difficult if I need to get to Nisa store when the cycle path is flooded as it’s usually deeper than the wheel height of the scooter. If I go through it, it would short circuit as the electrics are on the underside of it.

“I either don’t go or have to go the long way round from Meadow Road, on to Whinlatter Road and down, then back.”

Paula Roberts said: “I was going to my friend’s on my mobility scooter from Kirkstone Road to Jefferson Park and that’s the quickest way. The flooding was too deep to go through so I had to turn back.

“The puddles are very deep. It’s impossible to get through.”

Other residents have voiced concerns over children who use the path to get to school and the Nisa store losing out on trade because of the problem.

Terri McMullen said: “It is an absolute nightmare to get through once it rains. It gets very deep so there’s no way of not getting socks wet.

“There used to be a lovely old man who dug down the sides which helped it a lot but sadly he passed away so it’s all over grown again and got a whole lot worse. It definitely needs sorting.

“I personally avoid going that way but I know a lot of people use that route to and from school, and Nisa lose out on customers as some days it’s impassable.”

Jennifer Bowman said: “Every year it seems to get worse. I find it impossible at times to wade through.

“Speaking for the older generation it is dangerous for us we are no longer nimble and there is no way through for us, we have to backtrack to the path by St Benedict’s Church.”

Dot Palmer said: “If Sustrans did the remedial work as part of the cycle network, why are they not responsible for correcting the problem? It always had water pooling but not on the scale it has now. It’s a main footpath for the local primary schools.”

Paul Lawson added: “It’s awful. I can’t walk the dog without wearing Wellington boots if I want to use the cycle path.”

Cllr Walmsley said he first emailed Sustrans on November 17 last year, after receiving numerous complaints about the long standing issue, which he says is getting worse every autumn and winter.

He said: “I surprisingly got a response almost immediately off a lady who promised they had it on their to do list and was delayed due to the pandemic.

“She went on to say they were doing maintenance work in the area and would be down to assess the problem and get back to me ASAP.

“I knew there was work ongoing between Mirehouse and Moor Row at the time so I gave them the benefit of doubt.”

However, he said nothing had been done and he had received no replies to emails sent since, including one last week.

He continued: “I feel this is not just incredibly rude but very unprofessional. I’m aware this is not a quick fix job and being in a valley with becks running through we are going to have water issues.

“But this is a main route to both schools. Kids are having to put their socks and shoes on the radiators once there.

“Battery powered wheelchairs and scooters cannot get through and believe it or not, this is a part of the C2C cycle track and once the cold gets a hold that stretch could be deadly for all that use it, let alone cyclists hitting it at speed.

“Nisa must be losing trade also as it easier even for those at the bottom of the estate to go longer routes to other shops.

“I’m not one for going to the media to get things resolved but Sustrans have given me no choice I have the support of the whole estate on this.

“They are absolutely pig sick now and I don’t blame them. Something needs done and it needs done now.”

A spokesman for Sustrans denied having responsibility for the section of cycle path.