18/12/2009 - Bridge and Roads Update (18 December 2009)

Just one month on from the devastating floods that hit parts of Cumbria nearly half the road bridges that were closed have re-opened.

Initially visual checks were carried out on more than 1,200 bridges around the county.

Bridges where damage was identified or suspected were then closed until water levels dropped sufficiently for detailed structural assessments (principal bridge inspections) to be tackled.

These inspections involve sending in divers to check for damage beneath the waterline and they have led to bridges either being re-opened or damage in need of repair being identified.

During and immediately after the floods 20 road bridges were closed, but after a series of bridges were given the all-clear following the detailed checks, the number of closures is down to the 11 below.

Seven main footbridges are also currently out of action. 

ROAD BRIDGE CLOSURES

ALLERDALE:

A5086 Gote Road, Cockermouth (awaiting full detailed assessment)

B5291 Ouse Bridge to Castle Inn (scour damage) C2170 Broughton Bridge (damage)

C2026 Isel Bridge (closed for traffic management purposes)

A596 Calva Bridge, Workington (badly damaged)

A597 Northside Bridge, Workington (collapsed)

U2199 Low Lorton Bridge (collapsed)

U2217 Little Braithwaite Bridge (collapsed)

C2058 Stair Bridge, near Keswick

SOUTH LAKELAND:

C5049 Backbarrow off A590 (damage)

U5082 Water Yeat Bouthrey Bridge (badly damaged)

FOOTBRIDGE CLOSURES

ALLERDALE:

Workington Docks Old Railway Footbridge (damage) 

Camerton (collapsed) 

Navvies Footbridge, Workington (collapsed) 

Memorial Gardens Footbridge, Cockermouth (collapsed) 

Brewery Footbridge, Cockermouth (damage) 

Portinscale Footbridge (partial collapse)

COPELAND:

Black Bridge Footpath, Egremont 

ROAD CLOSURES

ALLERDALE:

C2064 Cocker Bridge, Cockermouth (open to pedestrians)

U2239 Brundholme Woods Road Keswick (damage to carriageway)

C2202 Southwaite Bridge (repairs needed to carriageway)

B5292 Main Street, Cockermouth (flood damage)

U2218 Catbells, Nr Keswick (landslide)

ENDS

Media enquiries to media officer John Ballard on 01228 226330.