Community welcomes new date for replacement bridge

The community of Pooley Bridge have welcomed the decision to push back work to complete the construction of a replacement bridge across the River Eamont.

The new crossing will not be completed until Easter 2020 - but the community say that it's a better plan. The original bridge collapsed in December 2015 when severe flooding hit the county during Storm Desmond.

Plans to build the new permanent bridge were originally scheduled during the summer months which, according to residents, would have had an impact on tourist numbers.

A temporary bridge connecting visitors to the popular destination was installed in its place. When construction begins, the crossing will be removed and a footbridge will allow tourists to get from one side to the otherwhile the works is being carried out.

A new timetable for building the replacement crossing was announced in a meeting at Pooley Bridge last week. Forty residents attended the gathering where stakeholders heard the change of plans.

An outline design of the new bridge is currently being completed by a project team.