The 40m long, 320t crossing at Pooley Bridge is set to open to traffic this summer. It replaces a 250 year old former three span stone arch bridge, washed away by Storm Desmond in 2015.

The idea for the stainless steel and concrete composite structure was developed by Knight Architects. It was designed by structural engineer GHD and fabricated by WEC Group in four separate sections, before being assembled on site.

Principal contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering’s managing director Diane Bourne said the slender bridge complements the local scenery and promises to be resilient to any future episodes of extreme flooding. “We are delighted that the local community will very soon be connected again and thank them for all of their support and patience,” she added.

Cumbria County Council cabinet member for highways and transport Keith Little said: “It is great to see the impressive new structure at Pooley Bridge. This improved connectivity will not only be welcomed by local residents, but will be a vital component in restarting the local economy as we come out of the lockdown period.”

Elsewhere in the county, trains have started running once more on the Cumbrian Coast line after three storms in quick succession earlier this year forced the railway’s closure.

Work by Network Rail included replacing a damaged bridge at Parton between Whitehaven and Wokington. “Our teams have worked tremendously hard over the last 11 weeks to get the railway back up and running,” said route director Phil James.

During the railway closure work to strengthen nearby sea defences, scheduled for later this year, was brought forward. Over 36,000t of rock armour was installed to protect an exposed section of coastal railway.

(Photograph: Gregory Chivers, LUNAR Aerial Imaging)