23/3/2011 - Planning go-ahead for replacement Northside bridge

Plans for a new multi-million pound crossing of the River Derwent in Workington have moved another step closer after councillors approved proposals for a replacement Northside bridge.

Today (Wednesday March 23) Cumbria County Council’s development control and regulation committee (DC&R) gave the green light to replace the road bridge that was destroyed in the floods of November 2009.

Designs and proposals for the new bridge, which will be built on the site of the old Northside structure and connect into the existing road network, were unveiled last year and the design put forward was shaped by the people of Workington following consultation sessions where local residents and businesses were asked for their comments on the form of structure they’d like to see replace the collapsed Northside bridge.

These proposals were then submitted to DC&R for planning approval. Committee consulted a wide range of organisations before making a decision today on the application including Allerdale Borough Council, the Environment Agency, Natural England and English Heritage.

It is expected that the replacement structure will be in place by May 2012.

Cllr Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and economic development, said: "We’ve taken massive strides forward in repairing the damage caused by the Cumbria floods and the replacement of the destroyed Northside bridge is really the last major hurdle we have to overcome in flood recovery infrastructure terms.

"I’m delighted our DC&R committee have given the go-ahead for the plans and the process for rebuilding this bridge that will be used by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians has reached an important milestone in the final scheme becoming a reality."

ENDS

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