CONSTRUCTION workers have hit a new milestone in the ongoing £5m project to build a new river crossing for Pooley Bridge.

It comes on the fourth anniversary of Storm Desmond last week, which destroyed the historic stone bridge.

Contractors have started pouring the concrete foundations for the new stainless steel bridge, which once complete will support the visible part of the bridge and transfer the load into the ground.

About 250 cubic metres of concrete will be placed on the east bank of the River Eamont at Pooley Bridge over the coming days and used to help create a reinforced concrete housing in which steel supports and bearings will be placed.

The bridge, which should be complete by Spring next year, is being fabricated in four separate quarters at a factory off site, and will then be transported to the village, assembled on the river bank and lifted into place.

The bridge once fully fabricated will have taken about 13,000 ‘man hours’ to create.

Pooley Bridge remains open for business throughout the construction period.

A temporary footbridge, lifted into position in September 2019, has proved very popular as a link across the river and will stay in place until the new permanent road bridge is completed.

Council officials have thanked the community, businesses and visitors to Pooley Bridge for their patience and understanding during the construction of this important project.

A spokesperson for Cumbria County Council said: “Once installed the bridge will be the only stainless steel road bridge in the UK.

"We believe this bridge will mark a new chapter for the village with a modern, iconic structure fitting for one of the main entrances to the Lake District National Park.”