New bridge reopens 'crucial route' for village

The old Buckbarrow Bridge was demolished due to fears it would collapse

A "crucial route" for villagers has reopened more than two years after a bridge was closed due to safety fears.

Buckbarrow Bridge on Corney Fell in Cumbria was closed in August 2023 and demolished the following year due to concerns it was at risk of imminent collapse.

The road connects Corney Village to Duddon Bridge and its closure meant drivers had to follow a diversion along the A595 which is almost twice as long.

Cumberland Council said reopening Buckbarrow Bridge was a "significant milestone in restoring connectivity for residents, businesses, and visitors in the area".

It said work on the bridge had "progressed steadily" since construction began on 16 June, despite challenging weather conditions.

"The new structure has been designed to be resilient, robust and capable of serving the community for generations to come," it said.