Historic River Lune bridge to be restored

Westmorland and Furness Council have received the go-ahead to repair the Rigmaden Bridge in Kirkby Lonsdale, two years after structural issues led to its closure.

Rigmaden Bridge was shut down in December 2021 after being deemed unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians. The grade two-listed bridge crosses the River Lune, linking Rigmaden and Bainsbank. It is nearly 37-metres long. Built in 1890, the bridge is largely wrought iron with underslung trusses.

WSP is leading the restoration effort with the council and submitted a listed building application to restore the bridge’s structural integrity. Yorkshire Dales National Park has since approved that application.

WSP’s plans include installing two steel weathering plate girders under the carriageway on the bridge, situating them between the trusses. The bridge’s current concrete deck will be replaced with reinforced concrete slabs, which the girders would support.

Cllr Peter Thornton, the Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet member for highways and assets, described Rigmaden Bridge as “a key part of our highways network that connects communities surrounding Kirkby Lonsdale”.

Reflecting on the successful listed building application, Thornton continued: “Working collaboratively with Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has been integral in achieving this, and we will continue to do so as our team develops a feasible construction plan and funding options to deliver a more resilient bridge.”

You can find more information on the bridge by searching S/10/8A/LB on Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s planning portal.