Repair works which will secure the long term future of Victoria Bridge in Kendal are scheduled to start on Monday.
Cumbria County Council is carrying out permanent repair work on the bridge, which is vital infrastructure in Kendal’s road network, and Story Contracting is the main contractor for the project.
The scheme is designed to convert the previous emergency bridge repairs into a permanent solution. The works will involve strengthening the bridge supports and foundations, and constructing a rock invert in the riverbed under each bridge span to provide a larger waterway area. The new invert, designed in partnership with the Environment Agency, will allow more water to flow under the bridge after periods of significant rainfall.
The in-river works are scheduled to start in July and are expected to last until the end of October 2020, subject to weather conditions.
Following on from the high water levels experienced during the in-river working window (July to September) in 2019, that caused damage to the bridge abutment and prevented completion of works last year, Cumbria County Council and Story Contracting have agreed a revised method for delivering the repairs and will focus on one pier or span at a time, to decrease the impact that storms and high water levels may have during this working window.
Cllr Peter Thornton, Deputy Leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “I’m really pleased these repair works are going ahead on schedule. Victoria Bridge forms a key part of the road network in Kendal, so it’s vital to secure the long term future of the bridge.”
Traffic and pedestrians will continue to use Victoria Bridge as normal during these works. There may be occasions when one lane needs to be temporarily closed whilst deliveries to the site are made but these will be carried out on evenings or weekends to minimise any disruption.
