A PROPOSED footbridge will see a season-long delay in its construction.

A replacement to the bridge at Gooseholme, which was damaged in 2015 when Storm Desmond hit Kendal has seen its deadline extended.

Cumbria County Council is delivering the £2m project to build a replacement footbridge across the River Kent at Gooseholme in Kendal.

Unfortunately one of the statutory utility providers has notified Cumbria County Council that there has been a supply issue with fibre optic cables, which has delayed their work and had a knock-on effect with the project, meaning the bridge will now open in the summer, instead of spring.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways, said: "While work on the replacement footbridge continues, we are working closely with our contractor, Story's, to be as flexible and agile as possible; work has already begun on the New Road side. 

"We are investigating alternative ways to recover the timescale delay on this project, but at this point, the bridge is scheduled to open in the summer of 2022."

"We would like to thank local people for their patience and continued support.”

Cumbria County Council continues to make progress on the replacement footbridge at Gooseholme in Kendal across the River Kent, with the completion date set for summer 2022.

When Storm Desmond hit Kendal in December 2015, the Gooseholme footbridge was damaged. The £2 million project to construct a replacement footbridge is being undertaken by Cumbria County Council.  

The county council is delivering the project with funding partners; the Environment Agency, South Lakeland District Council, and Sustrans.

A single span bridge that will be fully accessible to all bridge users.  In addition to providing shared access for pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users, the new footbridge will be wider than the original.

For more information on the project, please visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/gooseholmebridge