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138K views 969 replies 8 participants last post by  denm 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Carlisle's damaged Millennium Bridge closed
Cumberland News, Tuesday 14 June 2011


Rusty metalwork on the bridge

The Irishgate Bridge across Castle Way in Carlisle has been shut until further notice after an inspection found damage to the structure.

The £750,000 footbridge - known locally as the Millennium Bridge - has been plagued by gremlins since it opened in 2000.

It follows the line of the city wall, providing a link across the busy dual carriageway from the city centre to Carlisle Castle and Bitts Park.

The city council is advising pedestrians to use subways at Tullie House or Hardwicke Circus, or the pelican crossing by the former Globe pub, while the bridge is out of action.

A spokesman said: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank the public for their understanding.”

The 110ft-long curved bridge weighs 60 tonnes, is finished in white and features a 60ft-high steel mast from which load-bearing cables span out.

The Civic Trust branded it too modern and out of character and argued it was not needed.


Read More - http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/car...nium-bridge-closed-1.846969?referrerPath=home
 
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#525 ·
This from the News & Star,---


Road closures ahead in Whitehaven town centre


A MULTI-MILLION pound project to boost the gateway into Whitehaven has taken a step forward.

The county council is behind the scheme to change the road junction at Bransty Row/North Shore Road in the town.

The works will help pave the way for significant new development in the North Shore area as well as improving traffic flow and enhancing road safety for drivers and pedestrians.

Read more https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/17976080.road-closures-ahead-whitehaven-town-centre/
 
#527 ·
This from the News & Star,---


Drivers face weeks of gridlock on roads in Carlisle


A CARLISLE councillor claims a series of roadworks and road closures across the city have created a ‘gridlock’ situation for motorists.

Botcherby and Harrby north councillor Rob Betton also raised concerns that drivers could be tempted to avoid the city as retailers prepare for the busy Christmas shopping season, and head elsewhere to other places such as the Gretna Gateway, Hexham, and Penrith.

Read more https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/17981540.drivers-face-weeks-gridlock-roads-carlisle/
 
#528 · (Edited)
^^

I think Councillor Betton, who I have a lot of time for, is being a little over-dramatic here. Yes, there are delays, but they are nothing more than a minor inconvenience really.

The current roadworks on Warwick Road are no more of a problem than the previous long-running works: allowing an extra 5-10 minutes for my journeys that way is sufficient. It was worse when there were temporary lights on Eastern Way as well as Warwick Road and Victoria Place, as there was no way of avoiding them without queues.

The closure of Victoria Viaduct is unlikely to cause major problems, as we have been through it before recently. After heavier traffic than usual around Botchergate and Crown Street on the first couple of days it seems to have eased somewhat, presumably as people find ways around it.

I can't imagine many folk thinking that because it takes a bit longer than usual to get into Carlisle they will travel a lot further to go shopping elsewhere. It is not as if there are many good shopping centres nearby except Gretna Gateway. It is a long way to Newcastle or the Metro Centre.
 
#530 ·
I have also posted this story in the Lake District thread.

New carriages for the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. Whilst the info tells me that the first new carriage has arrived it does not state how many have been ordered.

From a Press Release:

Passengers on La’al Ratty to benefit from brand new carriages

As part of a major rolling stock replacement programme, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (La’al Ratty) has commissioned new covered carriages. The first carriage, built at the Boston Lodge engineering works of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, arrived this month. Resplendent in a livery of red with padded bench seating and more head room, the carriage offers increased comfort for passengers. It will undergo testing before going into general service.
Full press release at https://ravenglass-railway.co.uk/about-us/press-centre/article.php?id=183

Somewhat annoyingly the PDF version of the press release has a photo of the new carriage whereas the online version does not :eek:hno:
 
#532 ·
This from the News & Star,---


Road closures ahead: weeks of works coming




Carlisle road users are to be faced with yet more road closures in the coming weeks.

The measures come as Cumbria County Council announced that it expects the Victoria Viaduct closure to remain for at least two months, given the ongoing safety concerns over the Central Plaza Hotel - which Carlisle City Council is preparing to start demolishing.

Read more https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/17996928.road-closures-ahead-weeks-works-coming/
 
#533 ·
^^

The County Council news item giving details of these works can be seen at https://news.cumbria.gov.uk/News/2018/updateongoingroadworksincarlisle.aspx

There are not actually "weeks of works coming", as the local rag has it in its usual apocolyptic fashion, as most of the work mentioned is already under way. It is true that Victoria Viaduct and Warwick Road are long term works, but the works on The Crescent and Botchergate are scheduled for 10 days from 27th October, which means they should be completed by the end of next week at the latest - hardly weeks of works, and as the work is being done in the evenings & at night the disruption will not be too bad.

The only one which isn't already under way is that concerning Rome Street and Currock Road, and no indication is given as to how long that work is going on for, merely mentioning two dates when the Rome Street recycling centre is closed.
 
#536 ·
This from the News & Star,---


Central Plaza safety fears shut new Carlisle city centre car park


A NEW 90-space car park in Carlisle city centre remains unopened due to concerns over the crumbling state of the nearby derelict Central Plaza Hotel.

Work to create the new temporary parking area, located on the site of the former county council Lonsdale Building at the rear of the Citadel, began back in June.

Read more https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/18015056.safety-fears-shut-new-city-car-park/
 
#538 ·
A new bus service will be starting soon in Kendal. It is the first Sunday service for much of Kendal for quite some time and is apparently funded by Sainsbury's via the county council.

From a Cumbria County Council press release

New Sunday bus service launches next weekend in Kendal

A new Sunday bus service will begin operating from Sunday 17 November, starting in Kendal, just in time for the run up to Christmas.

Running nine journeys every Sunday, the new service will link Oxenholme with Kendal town centre via the Westmorland Hospital, Heron Hill, Valley Drive, Sandylands, Appleby Road and Shap Road.

The service will be run by Stagecoach, under contract to Cumbria County Council, utilising funding made available by the developer of the nearby Sainsbury’s store that opened in the town last year. The contract to operate the service will run for four years.
Full press release with timetable at https://news.cumbria.gov.uk/News/2018/newsundaybuseservice.aspx

The timetable is also available on the Stagecoach website, although there is no mention of it in the latest service updates thereon.
 
#539 ·
This from the News & Star,--


Road to be shut for £2.5m works


A MAIN road through the centre of Whitehaven will be closed for a fortnight, as part of a multi-million pound improvement scheme.

The county council is behind the £2.5m project which aims to create an enhanced gateway into the town.

And on Monday, Tangier Street will shut for two weeks.

Read more https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/18026747.road-shut-2-5m-works/
 
#541 ·
This from the News & Star,--


Carlisle motorists thanked for patience after completion of city centre roadworks


MOTORISTS have been thanked for their patience after the completion of a two-week resurfacing scheme in the centre of Carlisle.

Cumbria County Council say the night works on The Crescent, in the city centre, finished on Tuesday.

A spokesman from the authority said: "The night closure has now been lifted and we would like to thank everyone for their patience over the last two weeks."

Read more https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/...ed-patience-completion-city-centre-roadworks/
 
#542 ·
This from the Westmorland Gazette,---


Levens bus service saved


THE village of Levens will not lose its bus service after all.

It was feared the community would be effectively cut off from public transport when it was announced that Stagecoach was to axe the 530 bus, the last remaining service which calls at the village.

But in response to a local campaign, the Travellers Choice company have agreed to run a rerouted 552 service from Arnside to Kendal which will call at Levens.

Read more https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/18024346.levens-bus-service-saved/
 
#543 ·
This from the News & Star,--


New bridge to boost Workington's economy


A vital new road link is set to boost the Workington economy and breathe new life into the town’s port.

Network Rail’s plans to rebuild Siddick Bridge have been given the go-ahead by Allerdale Council.

The over-rail bridge, which provides the only road access to the town’s port, currently has a weight restriction in place and traffic flow has been reduced to one lane due to its poor condition.

Read more https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/18046404.new-bridge-boost-workingtons-economy/
 
#657 ·
This from the News & Star,--


New bridge to boost Workington's economy


A vital new road link is set to boost the Workington economy and breathe new life into the town’s port.

Network Rail’s plans to rebuild Siddick Bridge have been given the go-ahead by Allerdale Council.

The over-rail bridge, which provides the only road access to the town’s port, currently has a weight restriction in place and traffic flow has been reduced to one lane due to its poor condition.

Read more New bridge to boost Workington's economy
^^

Allerdale Council planning application FUL/2019/0137
Some 10 months or more since the application was approved, an update has appeared from Network Rail:

"Port of Workington railway bridge upgrade to benefit passengers and local economy

A multi-million-pound railway bridge replacement in Workington will soon benefit passengers and the local economy in Cumbria. The £4m Great North Rail Project investment will make Siddick bridge fit for the future.

It provides key access for thousands of vehicles which transport 500,000 tonnes of cargo to and from the Port of Workington each year.

Weight restrictions limiting the flow of traffic to just one-way are in place because of the bridge’s current state. The major investment will restore traffic in both directions.

The work will include:

  • Demolition of the old bridge
  • A new pre-cast concrete bridge deck being installed
  • A new pedestrian and service bridge built north of the existing bridge
A temporary level crossing will be installed across the railway to allow continued access to the Port of Workington throughout construction."

Full Press Release including lots of quotes from the parties involved:

 
#546 ·
Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire wins an award, namely best regional operator, at the annual UK Bus Awards.

From Cumbria Crack:

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire is celebrating after being named the best regional operator at the 2019 UK Bus Awards.

The company picked up Gold in the Top Shire Operator category at a ceremony in London on Tuesday.

The victory meant it was also eligible to contest the ‘best in show’ category for overall Best Operator of the Year 2019, where it achieved an outstanding Silver award.

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire achieved high customer satisfaction scores in 2018 and put this down to a strong focus on partnership, innovation and exceptional operational delivery.
Full story at https://www.cumbriacrack.com/2019/11/21/cumbrian-bus-operator-strikes-gold-at-2019-uk-bus-awards/

I can't see anything about this success on the UK Bus Award or Stagecoach websites.
 
#547 ·
An interesting press release from the County Council concerning bridge repairs in Cleator Moor: some materials saved from the demolition of the Gooseholme Bridge in Kendal have been used in these repairs.

From CUmbria County Council

Church Street Bridge in Cleator repaired using recycled material from Gooseholme footbridge in Kendal

The team were able to use recycled materials from the demolished Gooseholme footbridge in Kendal, which was severely damaged during Storm Desmond. Many of the unique ornate cast-iron parapet posts salvaged from Gooseholme footbridge have been adapted to replace defective and unsightly parapets on Church Street Bridge.

The recycled posts are in keeping with the original character of Church Street Bridge, which was built in 1895 by a local firm in nearby Cleator Moor.
Full press release with images of the bridge before and after the repairs at http://www.yourcumbria.org/News/2018/churchstreetbridgeincleatorrepairedusingrecycledmaterial.aspx
 
#548 ·
Good news for residents in some parts of West Cumbria: free buses on Boxing Day.

From Cumbria Crack

Heritage Boxing Day free bus services from Whitehaven to Mirehouse, Cleator Moor and Frizington

After a gap of two years, Workington Transport Heritage Trust have announced that their free Boxing Day buses are back on the road again.

This year volunteers will be operating an hourly service 32 linking Frizington with Cleator Moor, West Cumberland Hospital, Mirehouse shops, Meadow Road and Whitehaven Lowther Street.

Services leave Frizington every hour from 9.35am to 4.35pm, returning from Lowther Street hourly from 10.03am to 5.03pm.

Buses will connect at Whitehaven with Stagecoach services to and from Workington and Carlisle.
Full story at https://www.cumbriacrack.com/2019/1...ven-to-mirehouse-cleator-moor-and-frizington/

I can find nothing about this service on the Heritage Trust website.

Stagecoach have not yet announced their Boxing Day services for west and north Cumbria yet, but the comment that the free buses will connect with Stagecoach services suggests that the Whitehaven to Carlisle route will have a service this year.
 
#549 ·
Good news for residents in some parts of West Cumbria: free buses on Boxing Day.

From Cumbria Crack

Full story at https://www.cumbriacrack.com/2019/1...ven-to-mirehouse-cleator-moor-and-frizington/

I can find nothing about this service on the Heritage Trust website.

Stagecoach have not yet announced their Boxing Day services for west and north Cumbria yet, but the comment that the free buses will connect with Stagecoach services suggests that the Whitehaven to Carlisle route will have a service this year.
And right on cue, Stagecoach have published their Boxing Day timetables, along with times for the rest of the Christmas/New Year period:

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/?sc_m...63F3E-CCF0-4977-B8F6-A09BEF5CC416}&sc_lang=en
 
#550 ·
This from the News & Star,--


Warwick Road roadworks: United Utilities bring good and bad news for Carlisle drivers


THE utility company in charge of the Warwick Road roadworks has said that the current section of works could be completed as early as next week.

United Utilities has confirmed the roadworks on the eastern side of the carriageway are nearing completion, adding that tests will be carried out next week to ensure the works meet their standards.

Read more https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/...ilities-bring-good-bad-news-carlisle-drivers/
 
#551 ·
^^ Almost good news for once. I shall save any cheering until those works have actually gone, as there have been a couple of confident completion statements which have come to nought already.

As the work started in February it is certainly true that motorists have become rather fed up with this work, especially the fact that some of it has had to be done twice!

What is not welcome is the news that there is more work to come next year
 
#553 ·
This from the Westmorland Gazette,---


Police warn of road closures and weather warning


A WARNING has been issued to motorists after a number of routes have been closed as a result of the weather.

The Met Office has extended the yellow weather warning for ice and the police are reminding people of road closures that are in place.

The current warning will remain in place until 11am today.

Read more https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/18103811.police-warn-road-closures-weather-warning/
 
#554 ·
This from the Westmorland Gazette,---


Roads still closed due to ice and winter conditions


POLICE officers in Cumbria are warning of hazardous driving conditions on roads in the county.

The areas affected are Kendal and the Lakes, with some major roads also extremely icy.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for ice yesterday.

A warning has also been issued to motorists after a number of routes have been closed as a result of the weather.

Read more https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/18103811.police-warn-road-closures-weather-warning/
 
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