Bridge to reopen two months after building collapse

A covered walkway has been providing pedestrian access over the bridge

A bridge closed to traffic for two months following the collapse of a nearby building will reopen this week.

The Cocker Bridge, at Cockermouth in Cumbria, was restricted to pedestrians after the partial collapse of the Grade II-listed Old Courthouse in October.

Cumberland Council said a 5m-high (16ft) scaffold screening, which will be built on the side of the bridge, would protect vehicles from debris if there was any further collapse.

Work will start on Wednesday and is expected to take two days.

Once reopened, the bridge over the River Cocker will provide two-way traffic and be managed by traffic lights.

A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: “We have found a safe way to reopen the bridge and our officers and partners have been working hard behind the scenes to make this happen.

"The safety of bridge users is of paramount importance and the scaffold screening will allow us to reopen the road to vehicles."

The council gained warrant of entry for the privately-owned building to carry out urgent assessments

Businesses had previously said the closure to traffic had an impact on trade.

Cumberland Council urged residents to "continue to shop and buy local".

The back of the Old Courthouse fell into the river early on 8 October.

Fencing and a covered walkway across the bridge were installed as part of emergency work.

The council was also granted a warrant to access the privately-owned building and carry out urgent assessments.

Options for the site are still being explored.