A council has outlined the steps it will take to reopen Cocker Bridge ‘as soon as possible’.
Cocker Bridge, to the east of Cockermouth and which connects Market Place to Main Street, was closed on Saturday night to pedestrians and traffic after cracks appeared in the middle of the road.
It is believed the damage was caused by the recent bad weather and flooding in the town.
Following inspections undertaken yesterday, including an underwater inspection, the council will undertake the following activities to allow opening of the bridge as soon as possible:
- Removal of large tree wedged against the upstream elevation – will require a dive team and a crane, located off the bridge. Operations Team will cut out a number of areas of carriageway surfacing on the bridge following completion of the tree removal operations.
- Patching works to be completed on carriageway surface. Repointing works to parts of the arch barrel will also be undertaken. A road closure for vehicles and pedestrians remains in place with signed diversion, we will continue to update regularly.
- South Street Footbridge is open following the completion of repair works to the metal parapet. Until the council has carried out further works, it is not in a position to confirm when Cocker Bridge will be reopened but it will update regularly.
