Two bridges over the A591 that were closed due to structural concerns could be knocked down.
Westmorland and Furness Council are considering possible short-term solutions after Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges over the A591 were closed on June 12 as a precautionary measure following an external expert report.
The council said its two main short-term objectives were to restore links across the A591 and minimise disruption to the road.
It said it had commissioned a consulting engineer to undertake a second opinion on the findings of the initial Jacobs assessment.
It is also appointing a specialist to project manage and conduct an options and feasibility study that will confirm the best short-term solution for restoring the link across the bridges.
According to the council, possible short-term solutions include propping the bridge at half-joint locations, demolishing the bridges and installing temporary ones.
Other options include propping the current bridges and installing temporary bridges, supporting the structure from above the bridge and more sophisticated analysis of the bridges.
The council said: “We have funding within our existing budgets to deliver short-term solutions that will hopefully allow us to restore links across the A591 at the bridge sites in the short term.”
However, the local authority added that it did not have the funds at the moment to rebuild both bridges but officers have met with Department for Transport officials to seek support for a more permanent solution.
A council report said Brigsteer and Underbarrow are reinforced concrete half-joint bridges built between 1970 and 1971 and that there was worldwide concern about bridges of this construction type.
On July 11 Westmorland and Furness Council held a public meeting on the closures of Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges.
Following the meeting the council said it would work with Cumbria police to tackle reports of dangerous driving and speeding vehicles on the diversion route, review the verge maintenance work on the diversion route and introduce signs to promote safe pedestrian routes avoiding the A591.
The council added it will also set up reoccurring meeting with local impacted parish and town councils as well as a monthly email update.
