A CUMBRIAN MP has urged the government to provide ‘emergency funding’ to repair two bridges which closed due to structural concerns.

The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron has written a letter to the transport secretary Louise Haigh asking for funding to repair the bridges on Underbarrow Road and Brigsteer Road.

The two bridges over the A591 were closed by Westmorland and Furness Council on June 12 as a precautionary measure following an external expert report.

Read More: Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges over the A591 to close

Mr Farron said: “There is no doubt that these closures will lead to significant delays and disruption to the lives of local residents and businesses, so undertaking work swiftly is a must.

“I would urge the Government to provide emergency funding to get these vital arterial bridges repaired and reopened as quickly as possible.  Could I encourage your team to contact Westmorland and Furness Council to support their work in reopening these bridges ASAP?”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said they will respond to Tim Farron’s letter in due course.

A 4.8km stretch of the A591 has been closed from August 5 between 8pm and 6am to allow the council to carry out urgent monitoring works to Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges. The road is expected to be open again on Friday August 9.

Read more: Kendal bypass will close for five nights while work is carried out

According to the council, possible short-term solutions include propping the bridge at half-joint locations, demolishing the bridges and installing temporary ones.

Other options consist of propping the current bridges and installing temporary bridges, supporting the structure from above the bridge and more sophisticated analysis of the bridges.

The council website states: “We have funding within our existing budgets to deliver short-term solutions that will hopefully allow us to restore links across the A591 at the bridge sites in the short term.”

However, the local authority adds it does not have the funds at the moment to rebuild both bridges at this time, but officers have met with Department for Transport officials to seek support for a more permanent solution.

Read more: Two bridges in Cumbria, near Kendal, could be knocked down

Mr Farron added: “I empathise especially with local businesses such as some local pubs which enjoy 50 per cent of their trade coming from people travelling from Kendal and, if the bridges are closed long term, this potentially jeopardises their business and the security of the local people who are employed.

“The detour will also add additional cost for petrol and for many who simply can’t afford any increases in living costs.”

A council report says Brigsteer and Underbarrow are reinforced concrete half-joint bridges built between 1970 and 1971 and that there is ‘worldwide concern’ about bridges of this construction type.

On July 11 Westmorland and Furness Council held a public meeting on the closures of Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges.

Following the meeting the council said they will work with Cumbria Police to tackle reports of dangerous driving and speeding vehicles on the diversion route, review the verge maintenance work on the diversion route and introduce signage to promote safe pedestrian routes avoiding the A591.

The council say they will also set up reoccurring meeting with local, impacted parish and town councils as well as set up a ‘Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridge Closures’ monthly mailing list.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We have pledged to support long-term fixes for tackling the poor state of our roads, but local highway authorities have a responsibility to maintain their road networks.

“Future funding decisions, including highways maintenance, will be examined as part of the upcoming spending review.”