Bridge to reopen to two-way traffic

The bridge was closed in October after the nearby, Grade II listed Old Courthouse building collapsed

A historic bridge will fully reopen after a courthouse collapse caused it to close for several months.

The Cocker Bridge at Cockermouth in Cumbria will open to two-way traffic again on Friday following a structural assessment.

The bridge was closed to traffic in October after the nearby, Grade II listed Old Courthouse building collapsed.

New safeguards are now being installed to allow the bridge to reopen and protect it from damage.

A spokesman for Cumberland Council said the existing scaffold will be removed on Friday and an "alternative screening protection" installed.

The closure of the bridge has caused disruption in Cockermouth, with businesses previously saying they had experienced a drop in trade as a result.

Extensive investigations have been carried out at the partially collapsed Old Courthouse

The Old Courthouse, which is 190 years old, partially fell into the River Cocker on 8 October.

It had not been used since 2021 after heavy rain left it unsafe.

Cumberland Council has said the building should be preserved as much as possible.

A spokesman for the authority said it was working with agencies including Historic England, Natural England and the Environment Agency to tackle the situation.

Factors being taken into consideration include the building being listed, the need to minimise pollution from debris and protecting flood defences.

The spokesman said discussions were on-going with the property's owner.

"We are having to follow a complex legal process that involves the support of various council teams and external partners, " the spokesman added.