 We welcome you to read Westmorland and Furness Council’s 'Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridge Closures Newsletter' that will be issued once every month.
Following the completion of the Westmorland and Furness Council’s assessment and Category 3 checking process of Brigsteer Bridge, we are delighted to announce its reopening on Friday 31 January 2025 from 4pm to vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3 tonnes, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.
The completion of structural assessments and checks for Underbarrow Bridge are still required. Should the outcome confirm that it is safe, similar measures will be introduced in the near future.
This newsletter will share information on the re-opening of Brigsteer Bridge, our assessment process and findings, the restrictions that will be in place and next steps for Underbarrow
Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges were closed on Wednesday 12 June 2024, after a specialist report by independent experts, Jacobs, identified structural concerns. The report was conducted as a part of Westmorland and Furness Council's ongoing safety assessments.
The structural concerns related to the half joint, post tension design of the bridges, required the Council to remove all applied load including vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. This was an unavoidable decision to ensure the safety of all road users travelling both over and under on the A591.
The findings of the initial reports were based on available data from 1970s records held on the design of Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges and required further investigations to explore options for restoring the links across the A591.
The council, in collaboration with independent experts WSP and Jacobs, progressed detailed structural assessments and category 3 checks on both bridges.
The assessments found that the available 1970s records held on the design of Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges contained ambiguities over the details of their hidden steel bars. Intrusive investigations very carefully cored out concrete at the half joint positions to expose this reinforcement and ascertain its size, spacing and condition. This process allowed us to clearly understand the precise details of the half joint design structure.
For Brigsteer Bridge, the completed assessments confirmed it remains classified as a weak structure, however it can safely support vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3 tonnes.
We are still progressing our structural assessment and checks for Underbarrow Bridge, which will confirm if similar measures can be introduced here in near future. Underbarrow Bridge will remain closed at this time.
Key information on the reopening of Brigsteer Bridge
Re-opening Date
Brigsteer Bridge will reopen on Friday 31 January 2025 from 4pm.
3 tonne gross weight restriction
A clearly signed weight restriction will be enforced, limiting vehicles to a maximum of 3 tonnes gross weight.
No exemptions
The bridge remains classified as a weak structure and there will be no exemptions to the 3 tonne gross weight limit.
A criminal offence to ignore the restriction
Failure to comply is a criminal offence which may result in prosecution and/or a fine by Cumbria Police.
Open to all pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians
All pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians will be able to use the bridge safely.
From Friday 31 January 2025, a restriction of up to 3 tonnes gross weight will be implemented under a Traffic Regulation Order.
As the bridge remains classified as a weak structure, no exemptions will be permitted.
The weight restriction will be clearly signed. Drivers of vehicles over this weight are required to use an alternative route which will be indicated on signage.
Violating the weight restriction will not only put other road users at risk, but may result in prosecution and fines.
Enforcing the weight restriction
The Council will be working closely with Cumbria Police to monitor and enforce these restrictions which are being introduced to protect the safety of the public.
Advice for drivers
Finding out the maximum gross weight and axle weights of your vehicle
The maximum permitted gross and the axle weights of your vehicle can be found listed on 'plates', which must be fitted to all vehicles and certain trailers.
These will either be a manufacturer's plate or a Department of Transport plate and are usually located either in the cabin or under the bonnet of vehicles or on the chassis of trailers. The weights are given in metric units of kilograms (kg).
Advice for drivers of vehicles over 3 tonnes gross weight
- The driver of the vehicle is liable for the offence. The company could also be responsible as the user of the vehicle
- If your vehicle is seen breaching a weight restriction you may be prosecuted. The maximum fine is £1,000.
How to avoid breaching a weight restriction order
- Know the plated weight and individual axle weights for your vehicle
- Plan your route in advance to avoid weight-restricted areas
- Following Sat Nav advice does not create a defence acceptable in law for ignoring weight limits that are in place.
Ongoing investigations will assess whether it is possible and safe to improve the weight limit on Brigsteer Bridge. Based on current findings, Brigsteer Bridge will remain subject to the 3 tonne limit, and Underbarrow Bridge will remain closed.
We are also considering longer-term solutions to restore and improve full access in the area through a feasibility study.
Continued monitoring of the diversion route
The roads used for the previous closure diversion will continue to be maintained, including a further project to install additional road markings at key locations.
If you would like to report a problem please use the highways online reporting form.
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