New Pooley Bridge open to pedestrians

With palpable excitement from the local community, the New Pooley Bridge opened to pedestrians this past weekend! The crossing, which replaces the original 18th century structure that was washed away five years ago in Storm Desmond, reconnects the popular Lake District village of Pooley Bridge after an especially difficult six months.

The opening of the northern footpath, which followed the removal of the temporary Bailey bridge that had linked the two banks during the bridge construction, allowed visitors and locals to experience some of the high-quality design elements that have been incorporated into the bridge following extensive stakeholder engagement by Knight Architects. Local stone pavers etched with 300+ names, which residents were able to purchase, have been placed along the length of each of the pathways. These sit alongside granite Trief kerbs on the vehicular edges which, thanks to their compact appearance for a vehicle restraint system, contribute to the overall transparency of the structure. This is reinforced by the parapet design, which features vertical stainless steel posts that are narrower at the top than at the bottom, giving a clear view through the bridge when viewed head on, and a dynamic ripple effect when seen obliquely.

The tactile timber parapet featuring integrated lighting, will be installed shortly.

The formal opening ceremony will take place in late October, at which time the bridge will also open to road traffic.

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