Brougham Old Bridge

As we were passing today, we decided to actually go into Brougham Castle, now it doesn’t cost us anything with our new English Heritage Pass. (I/we go past the castle several times a week, but I think we have only ever been in once in the past and that was when I was following the River Eamont. Now we can go in as often as we like.)
 
The reason for going in, as well as just because we could, was to see the bridge, which was severely damaged in the floods last year. It has been closed ever since and you can see the barriers in this picture. Although it is a little used bridge, except for walking, it is listed and an important part of the castle – the best view of the castle is from the bridge. (I must add something here about how important the bridge is for walking routes - reminded of this by Hazelina - see her comment)
 
So what is happening? In October last year, stabilisation work took place to prevent the bridge from collapsing over the winter. That is the white lego-type structure.  According to the local authority web site, the next stage will be a reconstruction and that is expected to be complete by the summer this year. It seems a pity that the work could not be done now, whilst the water levels are so low, but I suppose there are more urgent bridges to be mended.
 

The original bridge was built in 1811 to take the Appleby/Penrith Turnpike  over the Eamont, but it was substantially rebuilt in 1890 after flooding. It has three arches and a fourth for a mill-race. There has been a crossing of some kind here for centuries – it is why the Roman fort was built here, why three Roman roads met here, and why the Castle was built in the same spot. The bridge in the background is the modern one that takes the A66 over the Eamont. The photo was taken from the Brougham Castle gateway.