BRIDGES over the A591 in south Cumbria could reopen to some cars and pedestrians in early 2025.

An update issued by Westmorland and Furness Council says if assessments and checks provide positive results, it is anticipated it may be possible for both Underbarrow and Brigsteer bridges to reopen to light vehicles and pedestrians in a few months.

The two bridges were closed by Westmorland and Furness Council on June 12 as a precautionary measure after an external expert report found ‘structural concerns’.

The update issued by the council says the use of more ‘sophisticated analysis’, with an aim to proving the bridges can accommodate pedestrians and light vehicles, could be a quicker way to reopen the bridges than other proposals.

According to the council, the 1970s information the authority held contained ‘ambiguities’ over the details of hidden steel bars in the bridges.

The council says ‘intrusive investigations’ were undertaken this week to carefully core out concrete at the half joint positions to expose this reinforcement and ascertain its size, spacing and condition.

This will allow the council to remove the ‘conservative safe assumptions’ which were necessary in the original assessment, potentially improving the assessed load-carrying capacity of the bridges, the newsletter states.

An assessment analysis of the bridges is being undertaken by consultants WSP with the improved information.

The newsletter adds: “Initial indications are that this process may provide a positive result in our aim to reopen the bridges, albeit with a weight restriction that would allow use by light vehicles.”

To follow national procedure. another consultant, Jacobs, will independently assess the findings of WSP. Then a ‘resolution process’ will take place where the independent assessment results are compared, and any discrepancies examined and resolved.

The council say they are working with both consultants to complete the process as ‘timeously’ as possible but add at the moment they are unable to confirm when the process will be complete.

However, the newsletter adds: “It is anticipated that, should the assessment and check both provide positive results, it may be possible to reopen the bridges to light vehicles and pedestrians some time in early 2025.”

According to the newsletter, consultants WSP have also been appraising options for a temporary bridge or propping the current structure.

In the newsletter it outlines there are ‘complexities’ involved with both of these options and the delivery of propping, or a temporary bridge solution would only be possible later in 2025.

The next phase of monitoring will be undertaken overnight on October 31. The A591 between Plumgarths roundabout and Shenstone Interchange will be closed from 8pm to 6am to allow this work to be undertaken safely.