Cumbria County Council is excited to announce that its £2 million project to build a replacement multi-use footbridge in Kendal is set to reach a key milestone.

Preparations are progressing well for this significant stage in the project with the delivery of the footbridge in early July, with the much-anticipated lift taking place later that month.

Cumbria County Council is managing the £2 million project to construct a replacement footbridge, with funding from the Environment Agency, South Lakeland District Council, and Sustrans.

Cumbria County Council, together with its contractor Story Contracting Ltd, are working to deliver this essential piece of infrastructure, and the current programme is for bridge to be delivered to site on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 July 2022.

The bridge will arrive in four pieces, weighing 55 tonnes, which will be assembled on site, in the Story Contracting compound on Gooseholme Park.

A large 1,000 tonne crane will arrive on site on Tuesday 19 July with the bridge lift scheduled for Wednesday 20 July, and the crane will depart from site on the following days. Weather conditions will play a part in all these plans, and more information about the route through Kendal will be confirmed closer to the delivery date.

As there will be limited viewing opportunities, due to the bridge lift’s location the public will have the opportunity to watch the lift on our website. If, however, the public do intend to visit the area, the best place to watch is Gooseholme Park or on the grassed area near New Road.

In order that the bridge lift can be carried out safely and efficiently, we would ask the public not to encroach beyond any site barriers nor access the river or river embankments for viewing positions. It is also advised that people do not stand on Miller Bridge, due to the narrow footpaths.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said:

“I’m thrilled that we’re close to lifting the new footbridge into place at Kendal. Despite challenges, local residents, business owners, and visitors have shown patience and support for the project, which we are grateful for.

“I would also like to thank the Story Contracting team for all their efforts, and the Cumbria County Council’s infrastructure team, for their hard work on this project.

“The lifting of this bridge will be a memorable day for the Kendal community, and we will film this for our website. If, anyone wants to witness the bridge’s opening, we urge them to use caution and common sense when positioning themselves.

“Once the bridge has been lifted into place, the contractor will begin the finishing works in order to open the bridge by autumn.”

For more information about this project please go to: https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/gooseholme/project.asp