THE CLOSURE of Burneside's Ford Bridge has left the village in a 'mess' and 'divided' the community, says the chair of the village residents' association.

More than 50 from the community attended an emergency meeting arranged by the Burneside Parish Residents' Association on Saturday (October 28).

Joined by Nick Raymond from Cumbria County Council's (CCC) Highways, the meeting gave residents a chance to air their views.

Chair of the residents' association Gayle Howarth said that prior to the meeting, there had not been 'anyone' talking to residents.

"It's actually what it's like to live through that which is being forgotten," she said. "And communication with the residents has been shockingly poor from all agencies.

"The infrastructure in the village is an absolute mess. We desperately need the northern relief road that would simultaneously negate any of the issues from the bridge and traffic in the village."

The bridge, which was damaged during Storm Desmond, was the subject of an emergency closure after a detailed dive inspection by Cumbria County Council found there was 'significant deterioration' of the bases beneath the bridge's two supporting piers.

Ms Howarth described how children, elderly and disabled residents were having to walk across the bridge near the James Cropper site.

And although the traffic lights were temporarily suspended between 8.45-8.55am and 3.15-3.25pm, she said that motorists were sometimes driving through regardless and putting people at risk.

"It's dangerous but it's what we have at the moment," she said, explaining that people were volunteering to help walk children across the bridge.

"The village looks a mess. It looks unloved and it's not. People are really proud of our little village and there's lots of things that go on in Burneside but this is dividing the community."

A full replacement of the current structure is still planned for summer 2018 but a temporary walkway was suggested at the meeting as a solution to the immediate problem.

This would cost £100,000 and a CCC spokesperson told the Gazette that this unexpected expense had not been budgeted for. The spokesperson said the council would be happy to work alongside other stakeholders to the identify the necessary funds.

Both Ms Howarth and the CCC spokesperson said that it was a 'positive' meeting and that the community and authorities would continue to work together.

"It was a positive meeting," Ms Howarth said. "It got a bit heated at one point. People wanted more action or answers but it was just the start of a process."