 We welcome you to read Westmorland and Furness Council’s 'Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges 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 Underbarrow Bridge, we are delighted to announce its reopening on Friday 14 February 2025 from 4pm to vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3 tonnes, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.
This newsletter will share information on the re-opening of Underbarrow Bridge, our assessment process and findings, the restrictions that will be in place and our next steps which will explore the possibility of improving the restrictions on both bridges.
 Brigsteer Bridge reopened on Friday 31 January 2025 under a 3 tonne weight restriction
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, requiring 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 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, have now completed detailed structural assessments and category 3 checks on both bridges.
Brigsteer reopened to vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3 tonnes, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians on Friday 31 January 2025.
The assessments on Underbarrow have confirmed it can safely support vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3 tonnes, although it must remain classified as a weak structure.
The assessments conducted on both bridges found that the 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 detailed process allowed us to clearly understand the precise details of the half joint design structure and confirmed they can safely reopen to vehicles up to 3 tonnes gross weight.
Key information on the reopening of Brigsteer Bridge
Re-opening Date
Underbarrow Bridge will reopen on Friday 14 February 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 and cyclists will be able to use the bridge safely.
As the bridge will remain 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.
Drivers of vehicles exceeding 3 tonnes must follow an alternative route. 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.
The council and its consultants will now focus on undertaking further refinements of the assessment process to determine if the 3 tonne weight limit can be improved upon on both Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges.
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 diversions 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.
|
