Divers have completed placement of bags of grout beneath the base of Kendal's Victoria Bridge, along with the positioning of rock armour around the base to protect it.

Engineers are now in the process of undertaking the final loading & design checks on the structure. Loading tests began this morning.

The information has been released as part of a comprehensive update on the current status of all bridges affected by the recent storms.

A statement on other bridges reads as follows:

St Sunday’s Bridge, Old Hutton (B6254)

We have previously been working with a number of local residents to assess the viability of constructing a temporary bridge alongside the existing damaged one. Those discussions confirmed that this was possible but that the cost was significant and further inspection by the design team has now confirmed that a temporary repair to enable the reopening of the bridge to 2 way traffic can be achieved for considerably less. Our diving contractor (Underwater Diving Services) started work placing the grout bags this morning and expect to have the work completed by the end of this week. A further period of between 2 and 4 days is then required for curing and confirming that the load strengths have been achieved. We hope to reopen this bridge early next week.

Hallbeck Bridge, Killington (C5079)

The damage to this bridge is significant and has deteriorated over the last few weeks to a point where it is deemed to be at risk of imminent collapse. We have therefore had to close access to pedestrians/cyclists as well as all vehicles. It is therefore essential that local people stop removing the 2 tonne concrete barriers in order to cross the bridge – they are not just putting themselves at risk, but are recklessly endangering the life of any other member of the public who may follow them over, as they do not replace the barriers once they cross. The solution for this is a complete replacement of the bridge.

Hawes Bridge, Natland (U5625)

A collapsed parapet means access to this bridge is dangerous and further deterioration has weakened the bridge further. Temporary work to retain the wall has been designed and estimates obtained from a number of local contractors. A contractor will be appointed and the work will to start very soon. Further permanent work will need to be designed and delivered during the later part of the summer.

Gowan Old Bridge, Staveley (C5108)

The central pier to this bridge was damaged in the initial floods and it was closed immediately to traffic although further deterioration has meant that it is now closed to pedestrians as well. Measures are now being taken to protect the bridge from further damage, to allow the diversion of the gas main, by National Grid Gas, that currently sits beneath the bridge. The permanent resilient solution for this bridge is to replace it with a single span bridge, which the recovery team is now in the process of reviewing.

Flodder Beck, Greyrigg (C5070)

Grout bagging to protect the bridge has now been completed. Permission to reopen the bridge is currently being sought. It is likely to reopen this week once confirmation of loading strength has been achieved.

Beckside Bridge, Old Hutton (U5647)

There has been scour damage to the bridge apron. The repair solution will involve grout bagging which will be undertaken within the next 2 weeks. Once load strengths are achieved, the bridge will reopen.

Thatchmoor Head Culvert, Lambrigg

Culvert damaged during further flooding. Significant damage will require full replacement of the culvert and downstream and upstream training walls. Medium term priority, with a repair due likely towards September.

Sprint Bridge, Burneside (C5056)

Bridge base damaged with northwest upstream abutment has dropped and slipped forward at a skewed angle. The main basement slab has also dropped. Repairs will be significant. This is a high priority bridge with a design solution due to be approved within 2-3 weeks, and a likely reopening in March/April.

Challon Hall Bridge, Gatebeck (U5361)

There is significant damage to the bridge and temporary work has already been undertaken to prevent it from collapsing. There are already more than 120 acroprops holding the bridge up. Now that the bridge is secure, and given its location, the repair timeframe for this bridge is towards the end of the summer/Autumn.

Management of Diverted Traffic

The diversion routes around the closed bridges are being managed by signing alternative routes via minor roads. The operation of the various diversion routes is monitored frequently and these routes will continue to be adjusted and managed as required. We need to make running repairs to the road surfaces which will be undertaken over the next couple of weeks because of the additional traffic use.

Key Messages

Recovery of highway and transport network function around Kendal, Burneside and St Sundays Bridge are the top priority in the South area. County highways teams employing local contractors and technical consultancies are fully engaged on progressing each of these schemes as quickly as possible.

A further update will be released later this week to incorporate other recovery works.