27/11/2009 - Cumbria travel update - 5.45pm

Three road bridges that were closed in the wake of unprecedented flooding that hit parts of Cumbria have now re-opened.

Holmrook bridge on the A595 and Wath bridge on the C4017 at Wath Brow near Cleator Moor are open again as is Scalehill bridge, just north of Crummock Water.

Honister Hause Bridge, near the bottom of Honister Pass, has however been closed this evening. 

A total of six bridges around the county have collapsed - three road bridges and three footbridges and series of bridges are closed because of flood damage.

Cumbria County Council's website features road diversion maps showing the alternative routes people should take and where roads/bridges are closed at the following link (http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/floods/roadbridgenews.asp  

With a cold snap expected over the weekend Cumbria Highways will be gritting the county’s roads.

As a series of diversions are in place due to road and bridge closures a revised gritting programme is going to be in operation –with A and B roads on diversion routes in areas that are being gritted getting treated - as well as some more minor routes that are being used for diversions.

Salt heaps that have been washed away in the flooding are also being replenished so they readily available when the cold weather bites.

Motorists are urged to take extra care when they are out and about on the county’s roads and plan extra time for their journeys to take into account the weather and road and bridge closures.

To keep up-to-date with public transport information in flood affected areas visit the transport section on Cumbria County Council's website at www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/floods/public/alternative_ways_to_travel.asp