National Highways has detailed its plans to remove infilling from the Great Musgrave Bridge in Westmorland, involving a 13-week closure to the B6259 until mid October.

Last September the Government-owned company received an enforcement notice from the local council to remove the infill which had been carried out in 2021.

Amco Giffen is expected to begin work on the site on behalf of National Highways from Monday 17 July through to Friday 13 October 2023. Work includes removal of infill and any additional work to strengthen the bridge for public use.

A road closure will be in place throughout.

However local councillors are angry at the timescale. Tim Wells, who chairs Musgrave Parish Council, told the local paper the News and Star: “It’s absolutely ridiculous – have they learned nothing? Yet again, there’s been no dialogue with the community directly affected by their actions. How can National Highways not understand the impact this closure will have on villages served by this crucial road?

“Several farms have property on both sides of the bridge – they need to use it every day. There’s a produce seller who will lose most of their passing trade. Are they going to be compensated? The school bus won’t be able to cross, so what are the children going to do? And then there are people who need to get to work and do their shopping.”

(Picture – National Highways)