Bridges and structures
We maintain 2,330 bridges and structures in our area, including:
- 1,075 bridges
- 385 large culverts
- 660 retaining walls
- 9 sea walls
- 181 cattle grids
2025/2026 bridges and structures investment programme
We plan to invest £3.4 million into design and repairs to around 100 bridges and structures. The Department of Transport allocates this funding.
The provisional bridges and structures programme includes:
- Borrowdale – structural assessment of post-tensioned bridge
- Jubilee Bridge, Walney Island – structural assessment of 330m long steel lifting bridge
- Lupton – major bridge refurbishment works
- Rigmaden – design of strengthening works
- Roger Howe – concrete investigation and design of joint repairs
Read the Capital Programme Report 2025-26 (PDF , 291KB) to see the details of our improvement plan. We may need to adjust it for any emergency repairs.
Safety inspections
We inspect our bridges and structures as part of our duty as a Highway Authority to keep the network safe.
How often we inspect depends on the structure type, and if there’s any risk to the public. The results we collect help us to sort any potential issues before they deteriorate.
Our inspections form the basis of our yearly programme schedule. It prioritises structures that need the most attention.
Working within environmental and heritage regulations
Most of our bridges are over water or have heritage value, and they need permits before we make repairs. This helps preserve our bridges and protects the natural environment.
We work closely with the Environment Agency, Natural England, and English Heritage, among others. Our teams plan alongside them before we can repair our bridges from June to September.
Historic masonry arch structures
Many of our bridges are listed structures. To preserve them, we use heritage methods and materials.
Due to their age, many have a weight limit to prevent damage. We inspect them more often to check they stay safe to use.
Concrete half-joint bridges
We have five large half-joint concrete bridges in Cumbria. This 1960s design feature is unreliable, and two bridges elsewhere collapsed.
In 2025/2026, we completed structural inspections on our half-joint bridges. To keep them safe, we've placed weight restrictions on four of the five bridges.
Repairing bridges
Outside emergency repairs, we plan bridge repairs in season. This helps fix them faster, reduce disruption, and protect the environment.
River bridges need underwater repairs to prevent collapse. We fix these bridges between June and September. This prevents any impact on spawning fish such as salmon and trout.
We work alongside specialist contractors to preserve our unique bridges and their heritage.
Storm monitoring
Over the last 20 years Cumbria has experienced 3 significant floods. They caused major damage to our bridges, including collapses in 2009 and 2015.
After Storm Desmond in December 2015, we developed an automated alert system. This shows us any bridges that are at risk from rising river levels. We direct our teams to check that bridges on these river catchments remain safe to use.
Contact us about a bridge or structure
Highways Team
Highways enquiry form
Telephone: 0300 373 3306
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm