BUSINESSES in Pooley Bridge have already noticed a downturn in trade since the structure thatgave the village its name was dramatically washed away in the recent floods.

The moment when the bridge, which had stood there for 251 years, was destroyed by the swollen River Eamont was one of the more memorable images from a stormlashed weekend across Eden and the rest of Cumbria.

It effectively cut the village off, and this week residents were describing it as being at the end of a very long cul-de-sac, with visitors having to make a detour via Tirril rather than using the road along the lake shore to get there.

Colin Hindle, who runs Granny Dowbekin’s Tearooms, which is next to where the bridge used to stand, this week said takings were down by 40 per cent. and added: “We’ve been here for 15 years and, of the three major floods, this was the worst.”

He estimated that the water was at least 2ft higher than on previous occasions, with the fallen bridge also raising the level, and at the time they were concerned because more rain had been forecast.

He added: “For the business it’s been quite dramatic — we are not getting visitors or passing traffic.”

Mr Hindle said there had been a meeting in the village and it had been suggested a temporary replacement Bailey bridge be provided.

He added that local businesses were also exploring the possibility of hiring a footbridge — which it is understood could cost up to £500 per week — at the back of the Crown Inn to make access across the river easier for pedestrians.

It is expected that a temporary replacement for the road bridge could be in place by Easter. Mr Hindle said: “It’s still a long time. Historically we are busy over the Christmas holidays and then there is the halfterm.

“It’s going to be hard. We aren’t going to go out of business but it’s going to be difficult if it carries on at this rate. They are talking about two years for a permanent bridge, which is understandable, but it’s an opportunity to include a separate footbridge for pedestrians and the possibility to make it two lanes.”

Helen Hutchinson and her 21-year-old daughter, Kelly, from Barco Avenue, Penrith, regularly visit the tearooms after walking their dogs in Pooley Bridge.

They both felt it was important to support local businesses. Kelly said: “It’s their livelihood. It’s not anybody’s fault, and they are getting affected by it. It’d be such a shame if it closed.”

Helen added: “There are three pubs here and it’s so quiet when you come in. It’s an extra effort to get here so people might think twice about travelling.”

Mandy Watson, who runs the village post office, grew up in the village and said the recent flood was the worst she had seen. She said that dredging was the answer in both the river and Ullswater itself.

She said a temporary footbridge could be a possible solution but it would depend on the cost and how soon a replacement for the original bridge could be put in place. “We might get it in for half-term. It depends if the steamers start running because they are a big pull,” she said.

Mandy said that the weather had been poor this year, especially between May and July, but it had improved in September and October. “We’ve never lost the bridge before — it might make a major difference,” she added.

Ian Mills, from Manchester, was this week visiting the area to check that his caravan in King’s Meaburn has survived the worst of the floods. He said: “The damage to the bridge is worse than it looked [on TV]. Pooley Bridge is going to be cut off for a long while.”

From The Cumberland & Westmorland Herald on Saturday, December 19, 2015.