Cumbria County Council has announced the first in a series of contracts that will see a total of £25million invested to help repair damaged roads and bridges across the county this year.

Although significant repair work has already taken place, the extent of the damage was so severe that a range of contracts have now been approved that will see an additional and substantial programme of recovery work.

The £25 million will be used to repair over 350 roads and bridges in 2016/17 as part of the County Council’s infrastructure recovery programme.

The contracts awarded so far have been issued to four main companies: Thomas Armstrong’s, Jacobs Stobbart’s, AE Yates and Coffey.

Within the works planned there are a number of priority projects, including: Thomas Armstrong’s contracts include Gowan Old Bridge, Staveley, which is a replacement bridge and 77 bridges in the west, including repairs to Cocker Bridge and Priests Bridge.

Jacobs Stobbart’s have won contracts in the east and the west of the county which include the repair of 36 bridges including Langwathby Bridge and St Lawrence (Appleby).

AE Yates contracts are in the south of the county and include the repair of 34 bridges. They include Capplethwaite Hall Bridge on the A684, Scroggs Bridge near Staveley, and Stock Bridge, Grasmere.

Coffey have won contracts in the south and east of the county and include the repair of 29 bridges including Southwaite Bridge and Ings Hall Bridge.

Councillor Keith Little, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “I am delighted that we have not only secured the funding for these repairs but now awarded the first phase of contracts for essential repairs to our infrastructure following the floods.

"Importantly I am equally delighted that Cumbrian-based firms have been successful in securing this important work. I appreciate that for many the floods may seem some time ago, but I can assure that many people, communities and organisations are still dealing with the impact.

"The council remains committed to the county’s full recovery and as such these contracts are the next essential step towards us completing a full programme of repair and recovery work on behalf of our communities.”

The full programme of the repairs is available on the council website at cumbria.gov.uk/floods