Bridge repairs expected to cause disruption

Running repairs have had to be made to the 50-year-old bridge in the last few years

Bridge repairs worth £350,000 are expected to bring traffic disruption as work begins for two weeks.

National Highways is carrying out the repairs along the A66 between Keswick and Threlkeld, in Cumbria, with work starting on 15 September.

The work includes resurfacing 722ft (220m) of bridge deck, installing five new expansion joints - which allow the bridge structure to adapt to the weather - and renewing the deck waterproofing.

William Paterson, project manager, said: "The bridge is more than 50 years old and over the last few years we’ve had to carry out a series of running repairs."

He said measures were in place to minimise disruption to motorists, but delays were expected for those travelling in and out of Keswick.

Workers will be on-site round the clock, with temporary traffic lights in place and monitored at peak times to reduce long waits.

Overnight, traffic would be escorted through the road closure by a convoy vehicle, National Highways said.

It added it planned to remove the traffic lights between noon on Fridays and Sunday evenings, to reduce impact on Keswick during weekends.

The work is expected to be completed by 30 September.