Stair bridge re-opens
Posted: Feb 18 08:52
A road bridge that closed in the aftermath of November's floods has re-opened.Cumbria Highways lifted the closure on Stair Bridge, in the Newlands valley close to Keswick on Saturday (February 13).
The bridge had been closed so the structure could be assessed and monitored following the unprecedented flooding that hit Cumbria.
It has been re-opened with a three tonne weight limit (maximum gross weight) and appropriate new signs have been erected.
A Cumbria Highways spokesman said: "Our aim is to get all bridges that remain closed re-open as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
"Stair is a small traditional Lakeland bridge, built in the days of the horse and cart, so it was previously subject to a similar weight restriction.
"There were signs that the bridge structure had been affected by the floods so we needed to assess this and monitor it to make sure it wasn't a major problem or posing any kind of danger, before we could re-open the bridge.
"We know Stair Bridge plays an important role for local adventure and tourism businesses, as well as the local farming community. We were able to re-open in time for the half term holidays, for the Keswick Buttermere road race on Sunday, and for the Causey Pike and Anniversary Waltz fell races in the coming weeks."
During and immediately after the floods, 20 road bridges were closed.
Following a major inspection and repair effort from Cumbria Highways only 11 bridges now remain closed to vehicles either for road safety reasons to prevent traffic congestion or because they have collapsed or are structurally unsafe.
Working closely with the Department for Transport Cumbria Highways has an extensive programme of flood recovery work for the highway and transport network in the county and is fully committed to ensuring all repairs are completed as soon as practically possible.
