Work to construct a replacement road bridge at Pooley Bridge is progressing well. The next stage of the project will involve the removal of the current temporary road bridge.
Cumbria County Council is investing £5 million in the replacement bridge project to create a new 128-feet long single span structure.
During the construction phase of the project, from September 2019 to Spring 2020, there will be no vehicle access over the River Eamont at Pooley Bridge while the new bridge is being built. A temporary footbridge over the river will be in place from mid-September 2019 which will be available for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists. This will remain open throughout the construction period.
Signage advising of the road closure will be put in place in advance and there will be clearly signed diversion routes in operation while the new bridge is being constructed.
Key stakeholders and local businesses in the village have been informed of the road closure as part of the council’s ongoing community engagement work for the bridge project.
Access to car parking facilities will be available near the junction of the A592 and B5320 near Pooley Bridge, on the western side of the River Eamont, and within the village on the eastern side of the river, throughout the construction works.
During the second week of September only, there will be no foot or vehicle access over the river while the temporary footbridge is put in place.
During this period, the county council will provide a free, return shuttle bus from the temporary car park at the A592/B5320 junction and steamer pier for anyone wishing to travel into the village. Pooley Bridge will remain open for business throughout the construction period.
Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “The replacement bridge project for Pooley Bridge is a key part of the county council’s Infrastructure Recovery Programme. We have now reached another important milestone in this exciting project with construction work about to start on site. As part of the project, a temporary footbridge will be provided to help maintain pedestrian access in and out of the village while the new bridge is built. We appreciate there will be disruption for the local community, businesses and visitors while there’s no road crossing the river and I’d like to thank people for their patience and understanding during this period.”
Please follow the project website below to access the ‘Routes into Pooley Bridge’, to view the traffic management diversion routes and for further information on the new structure: www.cumbria.gov.uk/pooleybridge/
A replacement structure is being built because the historic Pooley Bridge collapsed during Storm Desmond in December 2015.
