Bridge work 'putting businesses at risk'

The bridges' central sections rest on L-shaped joints which are difficult to inspect

The closure of two bridges is putting a strain on businesses, a parish councillor has said.

The bridges on Underbarrow Road and Brigsteer Road, which cross the A591 near Kendal in Cumbria, were closed on 12 June.

Jamie Sunderland, chair of the local Helsington Parish Council, said: "The longer the closures go on, the bigger the impact."

Westmorland and Furness Council said it was waiting for an independent review to conclude before deciding what to do next.

The bridges were closed as a precautionary measure after inspections found them to be an "immediate risk".

Resultantly there are long diversions in and out of Kendal.

Mr Sunderland said businesses outside Kendal were now "losing trade" because what was once a 15 minute trip now takes "30 or 40 minutes".

He said pubs were suffering as they relied on visitors coming from Kendal because there weren't enough people in the area to keep the businesses going.

'Communication' issues

Mr Sunderland said it was difficult for businesses to plan as there is no clear action plan.

He said the parish council and residents accept something had to be done about bridge safety, but says he is disappointed with "communication" from the council which has directed people to a newsletter and its website.

An independent review of the council's decision to shut the bridges is expected to report back soon.

When the bridges closed, Westmorland and Furness Council said it was considering a number of options, including temporarily propping them up or replacing them entirely.

It was also considering building a roundabout as a long-term solution and is now awaiting the outcome of the review.