Some cookies are essential to make our website work we'd like to set other cookies to show us how our website is being used beacons lit and parties and gatherings organised as communities in Westmorland and Furness come together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day The Government has announced four days of nationwide celebrations across the country leading up to VE Day 80 on Thursday with many activities focused on Bank Holiday Monday churches and parish and town councils across Westmorland and Furness are all joining in to help celebrate this historic occasion with events ranging from tea dances and family picnics to wreath layings exhibitions and special church services all being arranged Westmorland and Furness Council is planning its own activities to mark the anniversary.Veterans from across the area are invited to attend a VE Day anniversary ‘get together’ hosted by the council’s Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer and Armed Forces Lead Officer 7 May in the Town Council Chamber at Kendal Town Hall The get together has been planned to complement the official commemorations in Kendal the following day Forces veterans can join the get together on 7 May for tea, coffee and cake between 12.15pm and 1.15pm and any veterans wishing to attend should contact Cat.Brumwell@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or call 01539 793 441 Flags will be flown from council buildings in Barrow Kendal and Penrith between 8-12 May to mark the occasion and town halls in Kendal and Barrow will be illuminated in the colours of the Union Flag The council-operated Dock Museum in Barrow is staging a volunteer-curated VE Day anniversary exhibition and the council’s libraries and archives service have an extensive programme of VE Day-themed events and activities planned These include a new exhibition at Barrow Archives telling the story of three local Prisoners of War and VE Day anniversary afternoon tea parties at libraries in Barrow (8 May) interactive VR headset with immersive films and the launch of a new VE Day reminiscence project to capture locals’ wartime memories Westmorland and Furness Council is also supporting some of the activities as part of official commemorations in Barrow and Penrith on 8 May, being co-ordinated by the town councils.Community event organisers can upload details of their planned activities to the official 80th anniversary at: https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/ and people should check social media newsletters and local media for further details about events in their area Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities at Westmorland and Furness Council said: “The 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War offers many opportunities to give thanks and to honour everyone who showed such courage and resilience as a result of the conflict “We remember with gratitude everyone in active service; those who gave or lost their life and their families; as well as everyone who stepped into essential roles on the Home Front We think of the many children who were evacuated to the safety of rural communities such as our own and particularly remember the ‘Windermere Children’ who found sanctuary and a warm welcome in the Lake District many events taking place in communities right across Westmorland and Furness to mark this special occasion Everyone pulled together in those years so we can still have strong caring communities today Although very few are still with us to thank them directly we can honour their memories by living up to the values they fought for.’’ The timeline announced by the Government leading up to #VE80 includes: the National Memorial Arboretum will host a service to mark 80 years since the end of the war in the Far East.  Subscribe today and we'll email you the latest newsletter updates about your new council Choose from a range of topics so that you only receive emails about the areas and services which interest you the most Subscribe to news updates New Help improve this site by giving feedback Only use this form to give us feedback about how the website is working - If you want to tell us about an issue or problem with our services, or you need a response to an issue, please contact us A woman reported as missing from Kendal has been found Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox *We hate spam as much as you do. Privacy Statement Phone: 01768 862313Email: admin@cumbriacrack.com Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited No: 12475190VAT registration number: 343486488 © 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme will be celebrated at an exclusive business networking event next month as part of the build-up to its 20th anniversary this summer the LA23NET network will gather at The Old Fire Station in Penrith to enjoy LA23FEST co-founder of Kendal Calling and director of From the Fields — the creative force behind other iconic events like Bluedot and Northern Lights Newcastle Andy will share the fascinating behind-the-scenes story of how Kendal Calling evolved from a grassroots gathering into one of the UK’s most celebrated festivals He’ll reveal what it takes to build something that endures and the lessons he’s learned from two decades at the forefront of the UK events scene director of Intro and organiser of the event said: “I can’t wait for the evening in Penrith Andy will have plenty of stories to tell and there will be something for everyone even if you’ve never actually been to Kendal Calling All you need to bring is your best festival spirit.” LA23FEST is at The Old Fire Station, Bridge Lane, Penrith, from 5.45pm to 8.14pm on Thursday, 22 May. Tickets and more details at https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/83171 RELATED:– Kendal Calling celebrates ‘Good Times’ as this year’s theme– Kendal Calling 2024 review: a wholesome family-friendly weekend Image credits:Heather SmallsDisclosures: TheFestivals is funded through advertising and sometimes earns a commission on purchases made through links on this website Get the latest festival news straight to your inbox: © 2024 TheFestivals | Made in Cymru A Wild Clover Media website | Site map Millions of pounds worth of government support for transformational projects to improve Kendal town centre have been confirmed following 12 months of uncertainty The award of up to £13,476,700 will fund the Heart of Kendal programme which includes town centre regeneration schemes and improvements to connectivity along the River Kent.  This will build on existing investment already going into the town through the Stramongate Public Realm Improvement Scheme the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme and improvements to walking and cycling routes along the Riverside Corridor Kendal Town Team – a partnership between Westmorland and Furness Council Kendal Futures and Kendal Town Council – worked together to submit the bid The previous Government provisionally awarded the council £13.47 million for the Heart of Kendal scheme in November 2023  The new Government has now confirmed the award said: "We are delighted that the Heart of Kendal schemes have been confirmed and that we can now push on ahead and make them happen.  but we have never lost sight of the vision behind the bid by the Kendal Town Team partners It is great that we can now turn these ambitions for Kendal into a reality.  "These projects will make a real difference to the people of Kendal and all who come to the town They will embrace the unique setting of our town and use our built heritage and culture to enhance the town centre to make it more attractive and accessible for living "The reactivation of this funding means we can now pursue our original vision for the market This will mean the market hall is closed for longer but means we will be able to create a fantastic facility that the town deserves and can be proud of and which will contribute greatly to developing Kendal town centre further as a vibrant and enjoyable place to shop and spend time.”  made possible by £840,126 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund started in December and include perimeter wall repairs The Market Hall had been due to close for around four months for this work Confirmation of the Heart of Kendal funding means the improvements can be developed and enhanced further which will mean a longer closure but incorporate more and wider-ranging improvements aimed at revitalising the historic Market Hall to provide a regenerated community and commercial space for Kendal fit for the 21st Century Solar panels will also be installed on the roof as part of the council’s wider decarbonisation programme with further measures such as energy-efficient LED lighting and an air source heat pump to follow.  expressions of interest are invited for traders and other businesses who may be interested in operating in the newly-refurbished market hall when it reopens.  Click here to find out more about expressions of interest about operating in the newly-refurbished market hall when it opens.  Nominations have opened for the Kendal Highgate Ward by-election for Kendal Town Council The date of this by-election has been rearranged from Thursday 27 March The Notice of Election was published on Thursday 10 April allowing candidates’ time to complete their nomination papers before the deadline of 4pm on Tuesday 22 April.  All other previous candidates remain validly nominated and will be included on the ballot paper The by-election will be held on Tuesday 20 May If you currently live in the Kendal Highgate ward and are registered to vote then you do not need to register your details again or changed address within the ward since responding to the voter registration form you will need to re-register you details before the Thursday 1 May deadline to be eligible to vote in this by-election The easiest way to register to vote is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or Westmorland and Furness Council can send you information explaining how to do this in the post. Anyone interested in standing, can contact the election teams by email at elections3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk Nomination papers can also be obtained from the offices of the Returning Officer at South Lakeland House Completed nomination papers must be returned to the correct office before 4pm on Tuesday 22 April New postal ballots will be issued to all those registered for a postal vote in the Kendal Highgate Ward for this by-election These postal ballot papers will be salmon pink to distinguish them from the white postal ballot papers issued prior to the postponement of the previous election and which should now be discarded The rules for postal voting have now changed and postal voters are encouraged to use the Royal Mail envelope provided with the postal vote pack Anyone returning a postal vote by hand to the Returning Officer must complete a postal vote return form A postal vote returned by hand that is not accompanied by a postal vote return form will be rejected.  There are also new limits on the number of postal votes that can be handed in by one person Electors who wish to hand their postal vote in at the polling stations or designated council offices must complete a postal vote return form for the postal vote to be accepted Postal votes should not be put through the council letter boxes or via internal council mail boxes as these will have to be rejected.  Anyone voting in person will have to show an eligible form of photo ID Anyone without an eligible form of ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) Applications for a VAC or an Anonymous Elector’s Document valid for these elections must reach the relevant Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Monday 12 May.  Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate can be made online www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate   For more information, visit the Westmorland and Furness Council website at www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/voting-and-elections Kendal’s Gateway Church will close its doors for the final time later this year Gateway Church was set up seven years ago in a front room in the town and has since grown but its trustees said they had made a difficult decision to close the church on June 8 They said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we understand it may come as a surprise “There have been many difficulties over the last year “We have engaged in conversations with three churches to explore take overs or coming under their leadership – but these have been three doors that have been firmly closed to us.” its Sunday gatherings are held at the town hall on Highgate the trustees said: “Jonny and Pamela have given everything to Gateway and made lots of sacrifices along the journey “Gateway Church has been a place of worship and we are so grateful for each and every one of our congregation who have been part of this journey “We have impacted many lives in Kendal over the last seven years since Jonny and Pamela started Gateway Church from their front room.” Gateway Church will hold a special last gathering Now Deployed) on Sunday June 8 at 4pm at Kendal Town Hall © 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme. has been instructed to market Kendal Hostel a Georgian townhouse property in the market town of Kendal Built around You.Your expert business property advisers Built in 1757 by Daniel Wilson of Dallam Tower who opened the adjacent brewery the following year Kendal Hostel sits in a prominent position on Highgate The property was converted into a youth hostel in 1987 and was opened in March that year by Princess Anne The hostel and accompanying bedsits are currently owned and operated by mother and daughter Jan Nicholson and Kristina Rowe who have managed the property since 2011 as a successful mix of independent youth hostel accommodation and residential bedsit accommodation for locals the hostel is one of the largest single group accommodation properties in the area and with a young family of her own Kristina is now looking to pass the reins to a new owner and spend more time with family the hostel has been part of my everyday life and I have loved being able to welcome our guests from all over the world to Kendal and make sure every single one of them enjoyed their stay with a warm local welcome and comfortable accommodation.” Jan added: “We are proud to have been the custodians of this historic building which is such a key feature of Kendal’s main street We have worked tirelessly to make sure we are true to the history of the property whilst keeping apace with our guests’ changing needs and expectations.” hotel agent at Christie & Co for Cumbria and the Lake District said: “I am delighted that we are able to assist Jan and Kristina with the sale of Kendal Hostel This is a great opportunity for a new owner to either continue building on the existing success of the business Kendal Hostel is on the market with a freehold asking price of £775,000 For more information about the property, visit: https://www.christie.com/6445190/ Visit our Business Search page to find out more about current listings. Keep up-to-date with our latest listings and more… © Christie & Co 2024 | A member of Christie Group Nominations have opened for the Kendal Highgate Kendal Nether and Penrith East Town Council by-elections The Notices of Election were published on Thursday 20 February allowing candidates’ time to complete their nomination papers before the deadline of 4pm on Friday 28 February Assuming there is more than one candidate in the wards by-elections for all three will be held on Thursday 27 March If you currently live in either ward and are registered to vote then you do not need to register your details again or changed address within either ward since responding to the voter registration form you will need to re-register you details before the Tuesday 11 March deadline to be eligible to vote in the by-election LA9 4DQ for the Kendal Highgate and Kendal Nether wards and from Voreda House Completed nomination papers must be returned to the correct office before 4pm on Friday 28 February Anyone voting in person will have to show a form of photo ID Applications for a VAC or an Anonymous Elector’s Document valid for these elections must reach the relevant Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 19 March Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate can be made online www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate The deadline to register to vote in the Kendal Highgate Kendal Nether and Penrith East Town Council by-elections is midnight on Tuesday 11 March.  The postal vote application deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 12 March The deadline for proxy vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 19 March The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 19 March the museum will be closed on 7 and 8 May 2025 Prepare for an unforgettable night of adventure as the Kendal Mountain Tour 2025 comes to life with a selection of award-winning films Join us on a cinematic journey through the world's most breathtaking landscapes with a selection of award-winning films showcasing the year’s most daring feats of courage and tales of human resilience Whether you're a seasoned explorer or simply someone who appreciates the majesty of nature this tour promises to ignite your sense of adventure and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the planet we call home inspired and moved at the Kendal Mountain Tour 2025 Information for your visit Penrith completed the second half of their double header against Kendal They had a superb second half scoring 24 unanswered points after giving themselves a mountain to climb with a poor first 40 minutes they were gifted an attacking lineout 15m out when a kick was cleared directly into touch after the ball played back into the 22 The Kendal forwards didn’t need a second invitation and worked the catch and drive from the lineout nicely for an early converted try.  whose kicking was excellent in the first half with the wind at his back There was a scramble to keep it in play then the attempted clearance kick was charged down and Kendal regained possession they were on the front foot and added a second converted try Archie Rattray took a high restart kick in the air and his forwards rumbled forward into the 22 where the defenders were penalised The penalty was kicked to the corner where the lineout ball was won and Kendal were penalised again this time on their own line George Graham opted for the scrum from the penalty Sam Wilson broke from No8 and was just short there were other drives till the ball came to Adam Howe and he opened up the defence to power over Penrith were to score a second try in similar circumstances the defenders were again penalised on their own line the scrum was opted for again and this time it was Rattray in the No8 berth and he almost made the line from his break off the back of the scrum With the defence in disarray Graham threw a long ball out to Matty Boustead who bustled over between two tacklers to score The game moved into the second quarter and Kendal had almost complete control they extended their lead with a penalty following a high tackle scored a third converted try following a strong break in midfield by their centre and a fourth when they were gifted possession five yards out when there was a mix up at the back of a lineout They led 31-12 and had further chances to score but some resolute defence kept them out and in hindsight that was the beginning of the Penrith fightback they couldn’t afford to let the deficit grow any greater Half time brought a stern team talk from David Preston and the second period started with his side in the ascendancy Wilson stood off a set scrum on the 22 and ran the ball up deep into the red zone the score didn’t come straight away but the forwards worked away until Luke Coulston was in space five yards out Graham found him and he forced his way over Ten minutes into the second half Penrith a couple of substitutions and the introduction of Joe Kirkup swung the game in his first run he burst five tackles and being on fresh legs Kendal really struggled to contain him Penrith’s fourth try came from another penalty deep in the 22 Graham tapped this one and set up his forwards Andy Rogers and Kirkup all went close but it was Rattray who finally burst the defensive line The deficit was now only seven points but time was running out and the game went into the final 10 minutes Graham tidied loose lineout possession on the 22 and fed Kirkup he and Lancaster drove the ball up in midfield Howe made a few more yards and the ball went wide to the right Richy Dadley drew in the last two men and Rattray had a run to the corner with the cover flooding across He was strong enough to hold them off and make the corner The conversion off the touchline would have levelled the scores but it was wide Four minutes to play and still behind but they kept their nerve they gathered the restart at the second attempt and the forwards kept it tight and drove upfield a lung busting Kirkup drive burst a few more tackles and made 15 yards The ball came smartly down the backline and Rob Coward was taken out high Graham had tapped the ball and gone before the defenders reacted and made another 15 yards into the Kendal half The ball went right down the back line and again Rattray was out wide he cut inside and was hauled down some 10m short The forwards again kept it tight and inched forward Kirkup burst through the line again and looked as if he might make the line but was just short scooped up the ball and dived over to the delight of his team mates Coward knocked the conversion over and there was still time to restart the game Graham checked with the referee and gleefully banged the ball into touch to end the game It was a near run thing but great credit must go to the Penrith side for hanging on in there when they were under the cosh late in the first half and then having pride heart and spirit to overturn a 19-oint half time lead Kendal Calling’s 20th anniversary is just months away and to mark two revelrous decades in the fields the festival has revealed its annual theme celebrates Good Times and invites attendees to join in the fun the festival’s home at Lowther Deer Park in the heart of the Lake District will be transformed into an immersive homage to some of the biggest celebrations of the year they’ll be treated to a whirlwind tour of the greatest parties on earth Each area of the site is set to be transformed for the ultimate celebration; from birthdays to weddings Halloween hauntings to festive Christmas cheer the fields of Kendal Calling are set to come alive with colour The heart of the festival – Kendal’s iconic Main Stage – becomes a birthday bash like no other party hats,and an almighty 40,000 person-strong sing along The stage is set for a Halloween takeover with creepy decor and eerie entertainment It’ll be a holly jolly time in Calling Out – whether it’s snow-dusted trees Kendal promises nothing less than pure Christmas magic – no matter the month Every night is New Year’s Eve at The Town Hall Festival goers – Kendal implores you to raise a glass Love is in the air at the Picturehouse where roses are red and violets are blue Loved-up attendees can soak up the romantic vibes and slow-dance moments There’s plenty to fall head over heels for here The Stagger Inn will channel the spirit of the Emerald Isle The festival’s own pub will be brimming with Irish cheer for a St Paddy’s knees-up like no other The Soapbox stage becomes an Easter extravaganza Desert Island Disco becomes a celebration of love and plenty of dancefloor declarations as it transforms into an epic Wedding-themed extravaganza Attendees are encouraged to don their best Halloween get-up Programming Coordinator at Kendal Calling said: “Everyone loves a party and we can’t wait to transform Kendal Calling into the biggest celebration in the Lake District gather your crew and get ready to join together for a truly special birthday bash It’s shaping up to be a 20th Anniversary like no other and we can’t wait to get back into the fields to show you what we’ve been working on!” This summer Kendal Calling will rise up once again to become Cumbria’s third biggest town packed with music The wonderful world of Kendal Calling is a festival escape like no other with a breathtaking landscape and immersive wonder to be discovered in all four corners of its picturesque site fans who may have missed out are encouraged to keep an eye on Kendal Calling’s official resale partner Tixel Set in Lowther Deer Park in the beautiful Lake District Kendal Calling will take place from 31 July – 3 August 2025 kendalcalling.co.uk We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again More information about our Cookie Policy Work to transform Kendal's historic Indoor Market Hall has started after the last day of trading at the end of November traders were presented with gifts and thanked for their hard work and dedication for the good of the market customers and the town centre over many years of trading Cllr Virginia Taylor said: "Kendal has had a Market Charter since 1189 and Westmorland and Furness Council takes the responsibility of being the market’s custodians very seriously The decision to close the market hall temporarily was therefore not taken lightly but because the work carried out will reinvigorate the market and the town centre for many years to come "We thank the traders for their hard work over the years but also for the understanding and co-operation throughout this challenging process We have taken steps to support traders in the short term and look forward to seeing familiar faces back again when the market hall reopens."   said: “I’ve taken the leap and leased new premises on the New Shambles which is a fantastic location to secure the future of my small business I took the business on from my beloved daughter Jarre a few years ago and have loved every minute in the indoor market and we know the community we have built will continue to support us with a few of us traders ending up next door to each other in the colourful New Shambles I look forward to seeing what the council will do next with the markets especially at a time when investment in desperately needed” Market users and traders have been engaging with the council on what they would like to see from their soon-to-be-refurbished indoor market which is aimed at revitalising the historic Market Hall to provide a regenerated community and commercial space for Kendal fit for the 21st Century This funding has a spending deadline of March 2025.  Solar panels will be installed on the roof as part of the Council’s wider decarbonisation programme with further decarbonisation measures such as energy-efficient LED lighting and an air source heat pump to follow.  Discussions took place with traders to explore their options while the Market Hall is closed and support packages made available to traders to support them through the project and temporary closure.  Expressions of interest are invited for traders and other businesses who may be interested in operating in the market when it reopens.  Click here for more information about making an expression of interest. The UK SPF works are due to be completed by March 2025 the council is still awaiting the outcome of the Levelling Up Fund Round 3 which would likely see the market hall closed for longer for more and wider-ranging improvements should Government funding for the wider Heart of Kendal project be agreed Cllr Virginia Taylor further added: "We’ve had some positive conversations with Government on this funding including just how much the delays are impacting our beloved town centre and while they are committed to honour as many of the Levelling Up Fund Round 3 projects that they are able to we still have a way to go until we receive any terms and conditions or actual funding So for now we’ll push on with the enabling works at the Indoor Market and continue to re-assess the project should LUF terms and funding be received.”  The previous Government provisionally awarded the council £13.47 million from its Levelling Up Fund for the Heart of Kendal scheme in November 2023 This would regenerate Kendal Market Hall and also includes projects to enhance the public realm on Market Place and Kent Street support the creation of the new campus for Kendal College in the Westmorland Shopping Centre to provide new education accommodation and transform the riverside path between Lowther Street and Abbot Hall into an active travel route better connecting the River Kent to the town centre The new Government acknowledged the funding was being made available in the Autumn Budget earlier this month and discussions are under way to confirm the agreement in order to secure the funding subject to further Government monitoring.  Emil Eve Architects has set out proposals to retrofit an 18th-century townhouse in Kendal The London architect’s proposals for Stricklandgate House Emil Eve’s designs include restoration of the main house to improve energy performance as well as the creation of a community hub and new charity workspaces for the building’s owners The trust was set up in 1993 to provide accommodation services and facilities for voluntary organisations in the south of the Lake District will be renovated and adapted under the proposals which also feature a ‘new bright and open’ link building between the coach house and townhouse The £5 million scheme is being backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund Emil Eve says sustainability ‘is key to the proposed design which actively pursues net zero carbon and we hope will become an exemplar of sustainable heritage retrofit and champion the use of natural stone’ which more recently was used as council offices bill broker and money lender who co-founded one of Kendal’s first banks The house later became home to the Kendal Museum and Kendal Literary and Scientific Society whose members included geologist Adam Sedgwick Emil Eve was appointed to carry out a feasibility study into restoring the building in 2022 when the Stricklandgate House Trust took ownership The practice won a 2024 AJ Retrofit & Reuse award for Aden Grove a retrofit of a Victorian terrace house in Newington Green A planning application is due to be submitted later this year Tags Tokyo-based architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA chatted to the… Skyscraper expert SimpsonHaugh has submitted plans for a 50-storey and a 25-storey… MVRDV and Mecanoo are among five finalists vying to design… Squire & Partners has finally won planning Restricted Kendal bridges to welcome even more vehicles from today (Thursday 27 February 2025) as weight limits are raised to 7.5 tonnes Following the reopening of Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges under a 3-tonne weight limit earlier this month in collaboration with leading expert consultants has further refined assessments confirming that restrictions can be eased The new weight limits on Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges will take effect at 12 noon The council’s consultants have confirmed that no further refinements are possible and the structures must permanently remain at a 7.5 tonne limit As the bridge is classified as a weak structure no exceptions to the weight limit will be permitted Detailed investigations have also confirmed there are no signs of significant deterioration on both bridges following the council’s ongoing safety assessments and maintenance The required weight limits are due to a design issue with half-joint post-tensioned structures undertaken in the 1960s; a problem seen nationally Westmorland and Furness Council remains committed to exploring long-term solutions to restore and enhance access in the area and will commission a feasibility study to assess further options Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT said: “Raising the weight limit to 7.5 tonnes will greatly improve access for our local communities allowing most vehicles to use the Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges to reach surrounding areas Achieving this goal is a significant milestone made possible by the expertise of our bridges and structures team alongside leading consultations who have ensured that safety remains the top priority throughout this essential process "While this new weight limit enhances access it is crucial to remember that the bridges will permanently remain classified as weak structures and no exceptions to the weight limit will be allowed We remain committed to our providing safer and more efficient routes for both local residents and businesses and will explore long-term solutions to improve access and infrastructure across the area “Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges highlight the challenge of maintaining our aging infrastructure and the numerous historic concrete and masonry structures across our area Many of these are listed and require specialist costly heritage methods and materials for preservation and are under a weight limit to ensure safety While we continue to monitor and maintain these structures delivering permanent solutions will require significant funding commitments from the government." A thorough and rigorous process has been followed to further analyse the initial findings and achieve this positive outcome It been essential in precisely determining the structural composition of the bridges ensuring all decisions are based on comprehensive technical data To maintain national safety standards for structures of this type both consultants needed reach a consensus on the findings ensuring final weight limits are fully compliant with established statutory codes of practice which prioritise safety Deputy Regional Director at WSP said: "Ensuring the long-term safety and accessibility of Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges has been our top priority Through testing survey works and detailed structural analysis we have worked closely with Westmorland and Furness Council and their independent checkers to confirm that the weight limit can be safely increased to 7.5 tonnes This provides a significant improvement in connectivity for local communities while maintaining the highest safety standards." Drivers of vehicles exceeding the 7.5-tonne gross weight must continue using alternative routes to comply with the law and ensure the safety of other road users Violating these restrictions may lead to prosecution or fines with enforcement carried out by Cumbria Police Now the final weight limit has been determined the Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridges Newsletter will be issued when further updates are available on the planned feasibility study Our contractors have confirmed that no further improvements are possible and the structures must permanently remain at a 7.5-tonne limit.  Cumbria Police are responsible for enforcing the weight limit which is legally in place under a Traffic Regulation Order We will be working closely with Cumbria Police to monitor and enforce these restrictions which are being introduced to protect the safety of the public The maximum permitted gross and the axle weights of your vehicle can be found listed on 'plates' which must be fitted to all vehicles and certain trailers.These will either be a manufacturer's plate or a Department of Transport plate and are usually located either in the cabin or under the bonnet of vehicles or on the chassis of trailers The weights are given in metric units of kilograms (kg) capture a picture of the vehicle and their number plate If you live on the approach to Brigsteer Bridge and you have a CCTV or doorbell camera it may capture drivers of vehicles over 3 tonnes breaching the restriction You can help Cumbria Police accelerate their investigations by registering your camera Alternative routes for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes that are unable to use the bridges will indicated on signage As for all roads across Westmorland and Furness If you would like to report a problem on the diversion route please use the highways online reporting form Now our assessments have confirmed the bridges have reached their maximum load capacity at 7.5 tonnes our work has started to further investigate longer term options detailed in our October 2024 Brigsteer and Underbarrow Bridge Closures Newsletter This will be conducted through a commissioned feasibility which could potentially include junction improvements at these locations where they cross the A591