Motorists ignoring road closure signs and weight limits as they navigate their way around the closure of the West Cumbrian coast road could face a £50 fine.

Cumbria police officers have launched a crackdown against drivers flouting restrictions on and around the B5300 at Dubmill Point.

A 1.2km stretch of the road has been closed since February 20 because of coastal erosion threatening to undermine the road.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said the turning towards Salta was within the closed section of road, putting this route off limits for people trying to avoid a lengthy diversion via Aspatria.

And, amid concerns about the impact of traffic using back roads to shortcut the diversion, a 3.5-tonne weight restriction has been placed on a number of surrounding roads to reduce damage and the risk of a collision.

Sergeant Gillian Atkinson, the community sergeant for the area, said: “The action is being taken following concerns from both Cumbria County Council and local residents.

“There were complaints and concerns that some motorists were ignoring the road closures signs on the B5300, which obviously has safety implications.

“There were also complaints that heavy vehicles were not using the official diversion.

“This was leading to problems on the smaller roads nearby, including verges being churned up and the risk of collisions with large vehicles meeting on unsuitable roads.

“This matter was adopted as a community priority at the latest local focus hub partners’ meeting.

“The official diversion offers the safest route for motorists during the current road closure.”

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A Cumbria County Council spokesman: “The current activity by Cumbria police is to prevent ‘rat running’ by inappropriate vehicles and to ensure vehicles such as HGVs (anything over 3.5T) use only the signed diversion routes.

"This is a legal requirement for the safety of the public. This has been in place since mid-March, but so far ignored, and is in direct response to concerns raised by local residents, particularly in the Mawbray area.

“The junction of Salta Road (C2013) where it meets the B5300 is within the closed section of the B5300. We are aware of vehicles driving through the road closed signs at the southern end of the B5300 to get to Salta Road, which is not suitable for such traffic.”

Concerns were raised with the police around a week and a half ago, and the crackdown has followed.

The move has been met with frustration by people affected by the road closures.

Bill James, owner of Bank Mill Visitor Centre at Beckfoot accused the authorities of "militant action".

Mr James cannot understand why the council cannot reopen the B5300 as a single-lane road with traffic lights and believes not enough is being done to remove the road closures.

He said: "I think it's been blown out of all proportion. It's increasing antagonism of the motorists. It could be done calmer but I think it's becoming militant action.

"I'm appalled that the police are there. They should just back off and get on with their other jobs like catching burglars and the like."