GETTING direct traffic back into Pooley Bridge came one step closer this week as the nose of a replacement crossing reunited the two sides of the River Eamont for the first time since the beginning of December.

The iconic 250-year-old bridge was dramatically washed away during the floods of Storm Desmond and since then the village has been cut off from Ullswater’s western shore — with motorists facing large detours via the A66 and Eamont Bridge to reach the village.

Story Contracting Ltd. had spent four weeks on the project and the bridge had been assembled since its arrival on site at the beginning of last week.

Cumbria County Council has promised that the temporary replacement bridge will be fully reopened to traffic by Easter and a consultation over a more permanent solution will begin within weeks.

On Sunday up to 60 spectators packed on to a specially constructed viewing platform behind the Crown Inn to watch the new bridge being slowly edged across the river at a rate of two metres every 15 minutes.

It was finally moved into place with the help of a 200-tonne crane, complete with a 42-metre boom, which allowed the nose section to touch down on the eastern side of the river to a massive cheer from the crowd.

Engineers are expecting the structure will be firmly secured in place by Wednesday with the remaining carriageway work completed by Easter.

Colin Hindle, who runs Granny Dowbekin’s Tearooms at the end of the bridge in the village, said getting the new crossing over the river had been a “psychological boost” for residents and businesses.

He said: “It’s made it real and definite.” He added that it had been a good day on Sunday, with contractors building the viewing platform to give visitors the best vantage point, and the village had received some good publicity. He said: “Everybody is ready for it.”

Mr Hindle said residents were concerned they would be in a similar situation to those living in Langwathby — where the temporary replacement bridge was still in place decades later — but he had been assured by contractors that a more permanent solution would be found.

He said that within four weeks of the temporary replacement being reopened to traffic a consultation into a permanent solution would begin. “We should be on for a permanent replacement that is as iconic and totally in keeping with the legacy of what was a very beautiful bridge,” he added.

Mr. Hindle said his business had not suffered as badly as he had expected — with trade actually up by 10 per cent when compared with last year — with plenty of “disaster tourists” visiting the village to see what was going on. He added: “The high profile nature of it has helped.”

Mandy Watson, who runs Pooley Bridge post office, said one or two visitors on Sunday were surprised when they saw the crowds and added: “They had come for a quiet cup of tea or coffee in the tearooms.”

She said the atmosphere on the day had been good, with lots of people watching, and said: “Everybody was chuffed — they’d come to have a good old gawp — and it was a beautiful day. You couldn’t have picked better weather if you’d wanted to.”

Mrs Watson said that she hoped the bridge would be open before the promised deadline so it would be easier for people to get to the village. She added: “You never know, with the tourist trade. When it all started you thought ‘how long is it going to take?’ All we need now is some nice warm weather and lots of tourists.”

It is understood that local residents are planning to hold a celebratory party when the bridge is officially opened to traffic.

From The Cumberland & Westmorland Herald on Saturday, March 5, 2016.