that the scale of the work did not require the closure of the road, suggesting that traffic controls should have been used instead, as the road closure was adversely affecting trade. From November to December 2018, a public consultation called the Cumbria Coastal Strategy was held to evaluate and manage the risks related to coastal flooding and erosion along the Cumbrian coastline. Concerns were raised about the proximity of the B5300 to the shoreline, especially in unprotected areas or where coastal defences had been damaged. The possibility of re-routing the road in future to protect it from coastal erosion and storm damage was raised. In February 2019, a section of the road between Dubmill and Mawbray was closed "indefinitely" after an emergency inspection revealed significant coastal erosion of over two metres in a matter of weeks. The road was deemed to be "too close to the sea" by inspectors, and emergency funding totalling £281,000 was allocated to shore up the road and prevent damage. A license was granted by the Marine Management Organisation to install new rock armour coastal defences. Sue Hayman, the MP for the constituency of Workington in which the B5300 road is located, called for an urgent meeting with DEFRA officials, believing that any further delay in installing the new coastal defences could leave the road irreparably damaged. The closure had a serious effect on local businesses and charities. Several licenses were required in order for work to be able to begin, including a European Protected Species License. This license was eventually granted by Natural England on the basis that an ecologist would be on-site for the duration of the work. Protecting the Site of Special Scientific Interest and the local natterjack toad population was behind the delay, and the license was finally granted on the 17th of April 2019. Work commenced on the 23rd of April, with the road expected to re-open in July 2019. The road re-opened on the 20th of June 2019, after a section of rock armour 120m long was installed. The closed section of the road was also resurfaced. After the road was re-opened, local MP Sue Hayman called for "urgent action" over the future of the road. A meeting between Hayman and the government was delayed, in part due to that year's Conservative Party leadership election. Parts of the route of the B5300 are designated as being in managed retreat, further confusing the road's future. Special events In September 2015, stage three of the Tour of Britain ran along the entire length of the B5300 as part of its route from Cockermouth to Floors Castle. The road was closed in stages as police officers on motorcycles rode ahead of the peloton, closing off side roads and stopping traffic. Silloth-on-Solway in particular made a big fuss about welcoming the riders from the Tour. Public transportation The B5300 is served by a single bus route which runs the entire length of the road. The number 60, operated by Ellenvale without any government or local subsidies, runs from Silloth to Maryport as of April 2019, and had previously continued as far as Workington. There are five services each way from Monday to Friday, dropping to two on Saturdays. The route was not listed as among the bus services threatened by cuts made by Cumbria County Council. Connections are available in Maryport to buses heading south to Workington and north to Carlisle, and in Silloth to services to Carlisle via Abbeytown. The number 60 was temporarily only able to run between Allonby and Maryport in February 2019 due to the closure of the section of