A diversion too far Face-down in leaf litter by barriers blocking access to Brigsteer Bridge, I knew what it was before I turned it over. It's a map with a diversion for walkers and runners. REJECTED, it's a rubbish diversion.
The Brigsteer Bridge has long been the de facto way to Scout Scar. 20 years a de facto route and, by law, pedestrians must have access. I made this challenge of legality to Westmorland and Furness Council, to the Senior Countryside Officer, via my MP Tim Farron. The reply ignored my question. So I understand why that map got ripped off.
The Brigsteer Bridge has long been the de facto way to Scout Scar. 20 years a de facto route and, by law, pedestrians must have access. I made this challenge of legality to Westmorland and Furness Council, to the Senior Countryside Officer, via my MP Tim Farron. The reply ignored my question. So I understand why that map got ripped off.
That mapped diversion means an extra 3.6 miles, with street walking in the wrong direction, before one even reaches the starting point. Too far, too much climb. We're not street-walkers, thank you. For many locals, those who are elderly and less resilient, such a diversion is useless. I've explained this repeatedly to MP Tim Farron, to Councillors Matt Severn, Peter Thornton, Jonathan Brooks- and yet an inappropriate diversion continues to be put out by W & F Council. And ripped down, it seems.
A friend with years of expertise in footpaths and legal rights hasn't received an adequate response to his challenge to W & F Council on the legality of denying pedestrian access.
We understand issues of safety. But they must be in balance and bridge closure is creating a dangerous situation that W & F Council fails to address. It's apparent if you go to the bridge and study what's happening.
Interim solutions have been requested. We sought permission to use a specific farm track- but the response has been to fudge and fob off. Two official 2nd December emails gave conflicting information: the decision is not to proceed on this interim option/ it's being investigated. Which track, I ask repeatedly? No answer. The process is not open and transparent, as we would expect it to be. Lack of clarity and absence of straight answers adds to the danger. A runner on Cunswick Fell tells me W&F council has cleared the way at Boundary Bank so we can cross the A591 on foot although he tells me sight lines are poor and traffic is far heavier these days. It's the Kendal Bypass and a dual carriageway. If safety is their concern the Council cannot suggest we cross on foot.
A friend with years of expertise in footpaths and legal rights hasn't received an adequate response to his challenge to W & F Council on the legality of denying pedestrian access.
We understand issues of safety. But they must be in balance and bridge closure is creating a dangerous situation that W & F Council fails to address. It's apparent if you go to the bridge and study what's happening.
Interim solutions have been requested. We sought permission to use a specific farm track- but the response has been to fudge and fob off. Two official 2nd December emails gave conflicting information: the decision is not to proceed on this interim option/ it's being investigated. Which track, I ask repeatedly? No answer. The process is not open and transparent, as we would expect it to be. Lack of clarity and absence of straight answers adds to the danger. A runner on Cunswick Fell tells me W&F council has cleared the way at Boundary Bank so we can cross the A591 on foot although he tells me sight lines are poor and traffic is far heavier these days. It's the Kendal Bypass and a dual carriageway. If safety is their concern the Council cannot suggest we cross on foot.
Back at Brigsteer Bridge. First, my thanks to MP Tim Farron and Councillor Matt Severn who
are pursuing this on behalf of everyone. But we've lost spring, summer, autumn and still the bridge is barred to us. Perhaps in the New Year. On 1st December I learn that's put back to the first quarter of the year, possibly. Nothing is definite and possible reopening dates slip back, December, January 2025, February, March, April. Possibly.
For young and intrepid walkers, runners and cyclists they go the way they've always gone, directly by the bridge, over it, across the road on foot, down the farm track and through the underpass beneath the A 591. W & F Council knows this, has known it from the start, which explains why the bridge barrier has grown higher and more robust and why there are substantial padlocks holding barriers in place. It's a battle of wills.
I understand and share an insistence on reaching the countryside on our doorstep, on keeping fit. It's our lifestyle, our established way of life, a key amenity. I've campaigned throughout, and no results so far. So come the New Year ---- we expect a restitution of access via Brigsteer Bridge, our safe, direct and familiar route.
What this protracted and wretched episode has shown clearly is that walkers, especially the more vulnerable, simply don't count. There's much talk about the benefits to mental and physical well-being of walking in the Lake District National Park, so please plan to ensure we have the safe, direct and familiar route. I't been a sustained campaign of mine since 2012. First, to ensure pedestrian safety by installing a footway on the Brigsteer Road approach to the bridge. This year, to restore access via Brigsteer Bridge itself. All this is charted on my website.
are pursuing this on behalf of everyone. But we've lost spring, summer, autumn and still the bridge is barred to us. Perhaps in the New Year. On 1st December I learn that's put back to the first quarter of the year, possibly. Nothing is definite and possible reopening dates slip back, December, January 2025, February, March, April. Possibly.
For young and intrepid walkers, runners and cyclists they go the way they've always gone, directly by the bridge, over it, across the road on foot, down the farm track and through the underpass beneath the A 591. W & F Council knows this, has known it from the start, which explains why the bridge barrier has grown higher and more robust and why there are substantial padlocks holding barriers in place. It's a battle of wills.
I understand and share an insistence on reaching the countryside on our doorstep, on keeping fit. It's our lifestyle, our established way of life, a key amenity. I've campaigned throughout, and no results so far. So come the New Year ---- we expect a restitution of access via Brigsteer Bridge, our safe, direct and familiar route.
What this protracted and wretched episode has shown clearly is that walkers, especially the more vulnerable, simply don't count. There's much talk about the benefits to mental and physical well-being of walking in the Lake District National Park, so please plan to ensure we have the safe, direct and familiar route. I't been a sustained campaign of mine since 2012. First, to ensure pedestrian safety by installing a footway on the Brigsteer Road approach to the bridge. This year, to restore access via Brigsteer Bridge itself. All this is charted on my website.
What's the difference between vandalism and initiative? At the junction of Beast Banks, Brigsteer Road and GIllingate a clutter of roadsigns obstructing the footway made it dangerous for pedestrians. Especially at December rush hour when there was lots of traffic and the low sun made it hard to see. Many of them have been overturned or shoved to the side of the road so pedestrians don't collide with them or fall over them. We need that bridge reopened, and fast. Apparently Westmorland and Furness Council now has a report that indicates the bridge is safe. We are told we must wait indefinitely for the process to be completed. Why so long and still no definite date?
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