The future of Cumbria’s Eskmeals firing range is in doubt because the only access road is in danger of being washed away.

The Ministry of Defence gun range, operated by QinetiQ, employs 82 people.

But the only access, from the A595 at Bootle in west Cumbria, is at risk from coastal erosion.

The road was blocked by tidal-borne debris following severe storms in 2002.

That prompted the MoD to express concerns about the “viability” of the range if the road were to be washed away.

Consultants have drawn up options to protect the route. These include rock armour, building a concrete sea wall and diverting the road, but nothing has been done. Copeland Council, which is responsible for coastal protection, has a policy of “no active intervention” at Eskmeals. The inaction has frustrated Cumbria County Council.

The issue was due to be debated by the council’s ruling cabinet today. The authority is likely to ask Copeland and the MoD to fund the works. Should they refuse, the council could ask Environment Secretary Hilary Benn to intervene.

Cabinet may also ask the MoD to re-connect the rail link to Eskmeals, which was closed on cost grounds in 1996.

A report from the county council’s Copeland local committee stresses the need for the cabinet to intervene. It says: “The support of cabinet…could be of vital importance in securing the construction of the necessary coastal protection works to protect the highway from erosion, thereby allowing Eskmeals to continue to exercise its functions in support of the local economy and jobs.

“It would also ensure the protection of the farm at Stub Point and the residential properties on the landward side of the road.”

There has been a firing range at Eskmeals since 1894, initially to test shells.

Story in the Whitehaven News