Police alerted after bridge weight limit 'ignored'

Underbarrow bridge opened in February under a new weight restriction

Unmarked police cars have been carrying out checks at two reopened bridges after drivers flouted weight restrictions.

Westmorland and Furness Council issued a seven-and-a-half tonne weight limit as the Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges, which cross the A591 near Kendal, Cumbria, were opened in February.

The bridges were closed in 2024 over structural concerns but reports showed that no signs of significant deterioration were found.

The council warned "drivers ignoring weight restrictions" they were committing a criminal offence and "risking the lives of themselves and others".

Brigsteer and Underbarrow are reinforced concrete half-joint bridges that were constructed in the 1970s, the council said.

It added that weight limits were due to a design issue.

Councillor Peter Thornton, Liberal Democrat and cabinet member for highways, said if people continued to flout the limit the council would "have to review the situation and the options available to us".

As well as Cumbria Police, the council has also put in place enhanced monitoring.