CONISTON Cold villagers poured out on to their normally traffic clogged street to celebrate a night free from noise, pollution and danger.

As the Highways Agency closed the notorious Coniston Cold bridge on the A65 for safety surfacing and signs to be installed, parishioners held a street party.

All revelled in the peace and some took advantage of the brief respite to do roadside jobs normally prohibited by the volume of traffic going past their doors.

The street party gave them an opportunity to see how things could be if they succeeded in their campaign for a bypass.

Kathleen Towler, who was born and brought up in Coniston Cold and has lived in the village for 61 years, was amazed at the difference when the Road Closed signs went up.

"I can't remember when it was last as quiet. I have lived here most of my life, and it was so quiet when I was a child. This is fantastic, all the villagers are out, it is absolutely super. I can't believe how quiet it is," she told the Herald.

The villagers brought out a barbecue, seats, wine and beer as adults, children and animals basked in the safety of standing in the A65.

Anne Strange, clerk to Coniston Cold Parish Council, which is masterminding the campaign for a bypass, said she was delighted with the street party, and with the measures which were being installed on the bridge in a bid to cut the number of accidents.

"It is the start of traffic calming measures. There will be extra signs and a coloured road surface. They have said that if the accidents continue, they will put lights or flashing signs up. This is a success for our safety campaign. We are still continuing to fight for a bypass," said Mrs Strange.

Residents Val Hall, Julie Sobczak and Mike and Rosie Haines were all amazed at the difference the bridge closure made.

Robin Strange added: "I am looking forward to sleeping without being woken up by wagons between 4.30am and 6.30am."

And Nigel Hall, whose garden borders the A65, took advantage of the lull to mend his wall which was knocked down in an accident two years ago.

He worked through the evenings while the road was closed.

"It has been in a state of disrepair for a long time because it would cost so much to have traffic lights to make it safer to rebuild it, " he told the Herald.

"This has given me some peace and quiet. I can sleep in peace with my bedroom windows wide open with no traffic noise."

County Coun Beth Graham also enjoyed the street party, and promised to keep pressing for bypasses for the A65 villages.

She commended the villagers for their fight. "This is an extraordinary event. I do believe people will enjoy their sleep tonight. This all shows how determined people are."

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