Client: Westmorland and Furness Council
Location: A592, High Kingate, Kirkstone Pass
Works: Landslip repair, slope stabilisation and highway reconstruction
Status: Completed – July 2026

The Project

Following a significant landslip in November 2025, the A592 at High Kingate, between Troutbeck and the Kirkstone Inn in the Lake District, was closed after the hillside embankment became unstable and the road was deemed unsafe.

Metcalfe was appointed by Westmorland and Furness Council as Principal Contractor to deliver the repair and reconstruction works, with the objective of reopening this vital route before the start of the school summer holidays.

We’re pleased to have successfully completed the programme on schedule, restoring an important transport link for local communities, businesses and visitors to the Lake District.

The Challenge

Situated on a steep hillside within one of the Lake District’s most iconic and environmentally sensitive locations, the project presented significant logistical and engineering challenges.

Restricted access, difficult ground conditions and the scale of the landslip required careful planning and coordination throughout the programme. Every stage of the works – from materials delivery to plant deployment – had to be carefully managed to ensure the project was completed safely and efficiently.

Works Completed

Metcalfe’s Civil Engineering team successfully delivered a comprehensive programme of stabilisation and reconstruction works, including:

• Reconstruction and reinforcement of the embankment using over 100 soil nails and reinforcement netting to stabilise the slope.
• Construction of a new 30-metre retaining wall to strengthen the highway edge.
• Reconstruction of the carriageway and reinstatement of the roadside safety barrier.
• Highway reconstruction to restore this important section of the A592.

While the road remained closed for the landslip repairs, additional highway maintenance and defect works were also carried out along this stretch, making the most of the closure to improve the wider highway network.

Project Completion

The project was successfully completed ahead of the school summer holidays, as planned, helping minimise disruption during one of the busiest periods for local residents, businesses and visitors.

We’re proud to have delivered this important infrastructure project safely, efficiently and on programme on behalf of Westmorland and Furness Council.

The successful completion of the High Kingate landslip repairs demonstrates Metcalfe’s expertise in delivering complex civil engineering projects in challenging environments, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality and collaboration.