BRIDGE closures are 'causing extreme difficulty and danger' for people living on one side, according to a local resident.

Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges, over the A591 near Kendal, were closed from Wednesday, June 12 until further notice.

Kendal man Myron Hrykon said the only access to Kendal for those on one side of the bridge is via a 'difficult 16 mile round trip on dangerous, narrow roads littered with dangerous potholes.'

READ MORE: Two bridges over road into the Lakes to close for 'public safety'

Myron said: "An example is a 97-year old-lady who lives only 400 metres on the wrong side of the bridge on Underbarrow Road.

"She has no personal means of transport and is infirm. Should a medical or fire emergency occur she will be left very vulnerable as paramedics, ambulance or fire vehicles will be unable to respond within a safe and reasonable time.  

"Highways department has a clear duty of care in this respect and no thought or consideration has been made with regard to duty of care for vulnerable citizens.

"There are human rights issues to also consider and duty and responsibilities with regard to [the 97-year-old lady].

"How is she to get her shopping, visit the doctors, get her prescriptions, attend appointments etc.

"Who will pay for the additional costs of her cleaners and support workers to travel the extremely extended distance and extended work time?"

The council says the closure is a precautionary measure due to structural concerns following an external report. 

Brigsteer and Underbarrow are reinforced concrete half joint bridges built in the 1970s and are continuously reviewed under national guidance.

Westmorland and Furness Council says the issues found at the bridges are not untypical for those built around that time.

All traffic including vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and emergency services are following these diversions:

  • Underbarrow Bridge via the C5048, U853 Queens Road (Kendal),  A5284 Windermere Road (Kendal) , B5284, C5059 and C5048.

  • Brigsteer Road Bridge via C5062, U782, U583 Queens Road (Kendal), A5284 Windermere Road (Kendal) , B5284, C5059 and C5062.

(Image: Google) Myron Hrykon added: "The bridge is hard closed with metal fences and half ton concrete blocks so that not even pedestrians or cyclists are able access or cross. 

"If the bridge is in such dangerous condition that dangerous not even light traffic such as pedestrians or cyclist can cross, then surely it is essential that the Kendal bypass should be closed due to the danger of collapse onto passing traffic.

"It is essential that this bridge is repaired urgently but is immediately risk assessed properly to consider the possibility of pedestrian crossing and emergency access for emergency vehicles.

"I hold the highways department fully responsible for any future consequences resulting from any failure of duty of care."

Westmorland and Furness Council has referred anyone with concerns to its website.

A council spokesperson said: "The specialist report we commissioned as a part of our ongoing safety assessments found structural concerns and that all applied load on the bridges must be removed to protect the safety of our road users – this includes all use of the bridge by vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

"By acting on the findings of the report and removing all applied road from both bridges, the safety of the A591 is not compromised and can remain open."