Navvies bridge replacement plans submitted
Posted: Sep 8 12:01
Plans have been lodged to replace Workington's Navvies Bridge that was damaged beyond repair in last November's floods.Cumbria County Council has submitted proposals to replace the foot and cycle bridge crossing ahead of two public engagement sessions to discuss plans for both the Navvies bridge and the preferred option for the replacement Northside bridge due to be held in Workington on September 21 and 22.
The public consultation for both the replacement bridges will present the preferred solutions and also invite feedback that can then be used to help shape the detailed design, finishes and any other matters that are important to the local community.
To help ensure the replacement for Navvies bridge is completed in the shortest possible time, the planning application has had to be submitted ahead of the public sessions that will present the preferred solution
The plan is for a bow-arch bridge that will carry both pedestrians and cyclists across the River Derwent.
This design has been put forward following consultation with residents in Workington as well as various local stakeholders at two ‘Workington Connected' events held in May.
Cumbria County Council, working together with Allerdale Borough Council and Places Matter - an organisation devoted to generating a strong sense of place in living, working and learning environments throughout the North West - organised the sessions in May to gauge people's ideas and opinions on replacement bridges for the town and to help shape the designs under the title Workington Connected.
This feedback has been incorporated into the planning application that has now been submitted for the new Navvies Bridge.
Councillor Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member for highways and economic development, said: "The plans that have been put in have taken on board the comments and input local people gave us back in May and the proposal really is for a structure that will show how the town and its people have recovered from the floods."
The new Navvies bridge is set to be completed by Spring 2011.
Cumbria County Council's development, control and regulation committee is due to make a decision on the planning application at its meeting in October.
The Navvies Bridge planning application can be viewed on the county council's website at www.cumbria.gov.uk/planning-environment/DC/dc.asp and typing Navvies Bridge into the view applications tab.
An impression of what the replacement Navvies Bridge could look like.
