THE completion of a long-awaited South Lakeland bridge has been pushed back three weeks due to a permit delay.

Staveley has effectively been cut in half since losing the bridge that cuts through the heart of the village in the December 2015 floods.

Losing Old Gowan Bridge has led to loss of trade and inconvenience to motorists visiting Staveley.

The piling work for the new bridge was originally due to start before Christmas and resume at the beginning of January.

"Construction of the bridge requires a permit to work ‘in or near a main river’ and that permit can only be issued once the detailed bridge design and flood modelling is completed," said a Cumbria County Council spokesperson. "As a result of the delay in starting the piling work, there will be a subsequent delay to the completion of the bridge of around three weeks."

An application for the piling work was processed quickly by the Environment Agency and contractors moved in on Monday January 9.

The CCC spokesperson added: "Despite this unfortunate setback, there will be an increased level of activity around the bridge."

Cllr Stan Collins, Cumbria county councillor for Upper Kent, told the Gazette he was "anxious but not despondent" about the work not being completed according to the original schedule.

It is still hoped the work will be completed in time for Easter.

"It's going to be tight now," said Cllr Collins. "But providing we don't get somebody coming along and throwing a spanner in the works, we will manage to get it done.

"It's very much for the good of the village and hopefully it will be done in time for Easter. Something can always turn up that you can't predict but they are still working to schedule."

Mr Collins is urging people not to park on Main Street next week when contractors will be moving heavy equipment and bridge piles.

"While they can lift them over cars, it's not recommended," he told the Gazette.

Towards the end of January, CCC intends to hold another drop-in event, where the community will be able to view the final bridge design. The date is still to be announced.