Another bridge

Another bridge - well, I know, but we decided we needed to see this one. So many times we have been through Sebergham, but never taken a side road heading out of the village towards Welton. This bridge, known as Bell Bridge, is just outside Sebergham and crosses the River Caldew. There was, until two years ago, an old arched bridge, which had lasted 244 years, until it was severely damaged during Storm Desmond in December 2015. On the 27th of January 2016 it collapsed. 

This caused a lot of problems for the local communities and it is only now that they have the link back with the new bridge opened this week. Built to withstand flooding and incorporating as much of the old stone as possible, it has also smoothed out a hump had previously made it impossible to see vehicles approaching. 

On the bridge I got talking to an old guy who muttered about the cost, the time it took, the fact that they haven't painted the metal and wondered why they needed a bench by the river. He was happy to have the bridge restored, but said that flooding could be stopped if the river was cleared and dredged. He blamed the EU for everything! Oh dear!

Anyway it is a fine bridge and nice that it is now finished. And tea/coffee and cake at Upfront on the way back was good.