A LAKELAND community which has been divided since the floods of Storm Desmond was reunited at a special ceremony at the weekend.

Thousands of people visited Pooley Bridge on Sunday when a newly installed temporary road and foot bridge was officially opened a week ahead of schedule.

The original iconic 250-year-old bridge, across the River Eamont, was washed away during December’s floods and the village was left cut off from Ullswater’s western shore, with motorists facing long detours.

Cumbria County Council had promised to get the new bridge in place and open by Easter but work on the project by Story Contracting Ltd had progressed so well it was opened early.

Charlie Watson, who runs the village post office, said events on Sunday had gone really well, with thousands of people attending throughout the day. He added: “It has brought life back into the village which has been sadly lacking over the past few months.”

Miles MacInnes, chairman of Barton Parish Council, said it was a “great relief to see the traffic coming over the bridge” and it had been an emotional occasion to see it open. He added: “The village has been busy ever since — it is open for business.”

He said that getting the temporary replacement was the first step but he was keen for a public consultation over a permanent replacement to begin as soon as possible. He added: “We don’t want a bog standard bridge, we’d rather have something special and an attraction in itself. We should take our time and get something that in 250 years’ time they will say we got it right.”

Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Border, visited the bridge on Friday ahead of the official ceremony and welcomed its opening.

Businesses in the village were badly affected by the road closure and during his visit Mr Stewart met with representatives from the local community as well as members of the Story team.

He said: “I am delighted that the bridge will now be open in time for the Easter bank holiday, reconnecting the village to the vital A592, and reopening the gates for the hundreds of visitors who come to this exceptional part of Cumbria each year.

“It’s been quite a battle to get the bridge open in time. I’d like to pay particular tribute to the parish council and people of Pooley Bridge for their energy and focus, and their determination to. reopen the bridge and road.

“Tourism is the income on which our entire Cumbrian economy depends and I am pleased with the Government’s pledge of £1 million for a PR campaign to encourage people to visit the region, as well as the additional £700 million for flood defences which was announced in last week’s Budget.

“I’d like to thank all those who have been involved in this project for the long hours and very hard work that has gone into making this happen.”

The temporary bridge has a single carriageway road, under traffic light control, with a 1.5 metre path for pedestrians.

From The Cumberland & Westmorland Herald on Saturday, March 26, 2016.