Nether Bridge in Kendal will be closed to all vehicles from Monday 12 October for a maximum of five days.
The closure will be in place 24 hours a day and is necessary to allow reconstruction of a 10-metre section of the southern parapet wall which was demolished during a traffic incident in June this year.
Due to the nature of the works, the associated safety risks, and the confines of the site, it is not possible to maintain a safe running lane for vehicular traffic during construction. The works require the placement of site vehicles, bridge access equipment, including an underbridge unit, masonry materials, and mixing equipment on the bridge, resulting in the majority of the carriageway being occupied throughout the works.
A signed diversion route will be in place via Romney Bridge and Milnthorpe Road. Additional signage will also be provided to prevent HGVs from using Parkside Road due to the 13' 3" height restriction at the railway bridge.
The bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists throughout the works, with access maintained via the designated northern footway.
Nether Bridge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument spanning the River Kent, which is designated as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The proposed approach allows the repairs to be undertaken entirely from the bridge deck, avoiding the need for scaffolding within the river channel, which would delay the works until the next allowable environmental river working window in summer 2027 due to the associated environmental permitting requirements.
Where possible, the original heritage stonework recovered from the site will be reused, supplemented by locally sourced stone where necessary. Repairs will be undertaken using traditional lime mortar to preserve the bridge's historic character and significance.
The proposed timing of these works allows the heritage lime mortar adequate time to cure prior to the onset of the colder winter weather. To protect the repaired stonework during the curing process, it will be necessary to install covers which will obstruct the southern footway. For this reason, it will be necessary to keep the southern footway closed for several weeks even though the carriageway will have been reopened.
Councillor Peter Thornton, Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT, said: "We recognise that these works will cause some inconvenience to road users and local residents. However, these measures are necessary to ensure the safety of the workforce, bridge users, and the travelling public while the repairs are undertaken.
"Our priority remains the safety of the public, contractors, and staff as we continue to maintain and protect our historic bridge assets and the wider highway network."