A CUMBRIAN contractor has been employed to oversee the installation of a temporary replacement crossing over the River Eamont at Pooley Bridge.

Eden’s bridges bore the brunt of Storm Desmond’s destruction in early December, with a number of closures and traffic diversions.

Pooley Bridge was destroyed and completely washed away during the floods and Cumbria County Council highways team has since been working on options for suitable replacement.

Last month, it was announced that a temporary replacement would be in place and open to traffic by Easter.

This week, a county council spokesman said Carlisle-based Story Contracting had been appointed as main contractor to oversee all works at the site during the project.

He added: “This week we are digging down in the bridge approaches to prepare for foundations for the temporary bridge abutments.”

It is understood the temporary bridge will be in place for between two and five years which will allow time to develop the design of a permanent replacement structure.

The spokesman said: “Works site boundaries on both sides of the river will need to be extended to ensure that all work is done safely.

“We are looking at ways to allow people to see the work on site at Pooley Bridge and are also installing time-lapse photography equipment to capture the works throughout the project.”

According to the council timetable for the project, debris clearance and temporary abutment design were both due to have been completed by the end of this week, with abutment construction set to take five weeks to complete.

Bridge delivery and construction are due to begin on Monday — with construction expected to take six weeks to complete — with the bridge expected to be open to traffic by the week beginning 21st March.

Last week it was revealed that Eamont Bridge could be reopened within weeks, following a temporary repair to support collapsed masonry, but at the time of going to press no firm timeframe had been put in place.

As well as being a scheduled ancient monument, the bridge is of national strategic significance be – cause it lies on the A6, which is a diversion route for the M6.

The county council spokesman said: “Eamont Bridge has been closed since the first flood event as it was known from early inspections to require ‘fantastic’ over the Christmas and New Year period. Also open on Bridge Street are Corrie’s Tearoom, Bridge Street Garage and Cleators electricals.

Closed are Bojangles, Ruby’s, Eden River Cafe, Jac & Co., and Factor 33.

On the Sands businesses were hit even harder, with many being flooded more than once, such as Roy Ashley Motors which was flooded three times but managed to reopen between each flood.

Owner Roy Ashley (senior) said: “In total we were shut about 10 days.

“The longest period wasthe first time, which was about eight days. Water had come up six-and-a-half feet that time, which was worse than we have ever had. I’ve had this place 33 years and been working on the Sands 48 years and this was the worst flooding.”

His son, Roy Ashley (junior) added that the first time they reopened during the December floods it wasn’t to make a profit but was to keep providing a service to customers on that side of the town.

Also open on the Sands are Bridge End News – agents, Pizza Roma and Capsticks Carpets. Closed are Riverside Fish and Chip Shop and Hair and Co, which opened just days before the floods hit.

The county council spokesman said: “Eamont Bridge has been closed since the first flood event as it was known from early inspections to require repair work due to loss of masonry and undercutting of the north bridge pier. A temporary repair is planned involving propping under the collapsed masonry.”

It is understood that delays to the project are as a result of continued high water levels and flows which are hampering progress.

Brougham Old Bridge also suffered extensive and very significant damage to its structure with loss of structural masonry and internal fill material to the “point of imminent collapse”.

The spokesman added: “The bridge is in a very dangerous condition and measures to keep people off the structure have been strengthened last week in the light of new information.

“The public are strongly advised that the bridge could collapse without warning at any time and under no circumstances should they proceed beyond the barriers and signs.”

Although it serves a very limited highway function, options for detailed investigation, protection and support of the bridge are currently being evaluated.

The spokesman said: “It is likely to remain closed for some considerable time.”

From The Cumberland & Westmorland Herald on Saturday, February 6, 2016.