Cockermouth courthouse: Bridge 'could remain closed next year'

Cockermouth courthouse collapsed into the River Cocker in October

A road could remain closed until next year due to the collapse of Cockermouth courthouse, an MP has claimed.

The busy bridge over the River Cocker remains closed to traffic after the building fell down in October.

Mark Jenkinson, conservative MP for Workington, has criticised the council's slow response and said businesses were being affected.

A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said there were "no confirmed time frames" for reopening the bridge.

They said: "We fully appreciate the impact the bridge closure to vehicles has on the traders within Cockermouth and will reopen it as soon as we are able to do so."

The council has since opened a walkway for pedestrians and has urged people to support local traders.

But Mr Jenkinson said work to repair the courthouse and reopen the bridge was "not a priority" and that businesses were suffering.

"That road should be open. Cockermouth should be open for business," he said.

"This is causing havoc for businesses and for the school."

Mark Jenkinson, Conservative MP for Workington

The back of the Old Courthouse building collapsed into the river on 8 October.

Restoring the site has proved complex due to the building's Grade II listed status and the surrounding area.

The River Cocker discharges water into the River Derwent, which is a site of special scientific interest and the building is landlocked, making access "challenging".

The council is working with Historic England and the Environment Agency on the project.

The Old Courthouse is privately owned but the council has said it will be issuing a notice under section 54 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, which would allow it to carry out works to preserve the building.

After this, the building's owner will be required to carry out further work approved by Historic England, to repair and preserve the building.

However, Mr Jenkinson said the council had been to slow to use these powers.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Partner agencies have been extremely supportive and, collectively, we are doing all we can to move this work forward as quickly as we can, within the constraints we have."