Tim Farron asks Transport Secretary for urgent funding to repair and rebuild Kendal bridges

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has written to the new Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, to provide urgent funding to repair and reopen two bridges near Kendal.

In June, Westmorland and Furness Council closed the bridges on Brigsteer Road and Underbarrow Road due to structural safety concerns.

Last month, Tim chaired a public meeting in Underbarrow to hear from local residents about the disruption that the closures have caused, and from the Council about their work to reopen the bridges.

In his letter to the Transport Secretary, Tim wrote: “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 empathise especially with local businesses such as some local pubs which enjoy 50% 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.

“It is yet another example of our country’s infrastructure crumbling in the wake of the Conservative Government’s underfunding of our local authorities.

“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?”

Tim is also running a petition to the Department for Transport which can be found here.