Road bridge to reopen with weight restriction

A road bridge which has been closed for more than seven months will reopen with a weight restriction.

Brigsteer Bridge, which crosses the A591 near Kendal in Cumbria, will open to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles weighing up to three tonnes on Friday from 16:00 GMT.

The Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges were closed on 12 June last year after an external expert report found structural concerns.

Westmorland and Furness Council said it was safe "to use with confidence" and added it was continuing structural assessments and checks of Underbarrow Bridge.

Drivers of vehicles exceeding three tonnes must follow an alternative route and the council said "violating the weight restriction will not only put other road users at risk but may result in prosecution and fines".

A clearly signed weight restriction will be implemented under a traffic regulation order, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The council's cabinet member for highways Peter Thornton said: "We have conducted thorough analysis, assessments and intrusive investigations that have confirmed Brigsteer Bridge is safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and some vehicles to use with confidence.

"We understand that the weight restriction for vehicles over three tonnes will be disappointing for some drivers. However, this measure is vital to ensure safety at this stage."

Further investigations will assess whether increases to the weight limit are possible.

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