Repair works which will secure the long term future of Victoria Bridge in Kendal are set to resume in May – two months earlier than originally planned., Cumbria County Council has reported.
The council is carrying out permanent repair work on the bridge, which is vital infrastructure in Kendal’s road network, and Story Contracting is the main contractor for the project.
The scheme is designed to strengthen the bridge supports and foundation, making the structure more resilient to future flood events. Works consist of a concrete apron around the pier and abutment foundations as well as hardening of an invert in the riverbed under each bridge span to protect from future scouring.
These works were originally planned to start in July 2021 but have been brought forward after permission from the Environment Agency was secured to enable in-river works to begin early. Repairs are now scheduled to start on Tuesday 4 May and are expected to last for approximately three months, subject to favourable weather conditions.
Repairs to the central and eastern spans of the bridge were carried out during the in-river working window in 2020; however works to the western span could not be completed because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and adverse weather which meant a higher than normal number of working days were lost due to high water levels. Repair work on the western span will now start in May 2021.
Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways, said: “It’s really good news that we’ve been given permission by the Environment Agency to make an early start on the works to strengthen Victoria Bridge. This should hopefully give our contractor enough time to finish the works during the in-river working window.”
Cllr Peter Thornton, Deputy Leader of Cumbria County Council and Local Member for Kendal, said: “I’m really pleased work is starting early to complete these repairs. Victoria Bridge forms a key part of the road network in Kendal, so it’s vital to secure the long term future of the bridge.”
