A nine-year-old who wrote to the county council requesting they build a new bridge has become the first Kendal resident to walk over the new bridge in here in town. Brodie Lee attended the official opening ceremony of Gooseholme Bridge on Friday 14th October 14.

The new Gooseholme Bridge has officially opened in Kendal, after its predecessor was destroyed by storms seven years ago. The £2 million project to construct the replacement footbridge was delivered by Cumbria County Council with funding partners the Environment Agency, South Lakeland District Council, and Sustrans. The bridge spans 42 metres across the River Kent.

Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The bridge opening [is] a significant milestone in reconnecting the local community with parts of Kendal and the park, it is an impressive new bridge structure which will last for many years to come. This single span bridge that will be fully accessible to all bridge users, providing shared access for pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users. The design of the new bridge gives the added benefit of improved and traffic-free access and connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users – boosting sustainable transport choices and creating a more efficient transport network in Kendal.”

The bridge also repairs an important link for National Cycle Route 6 between Lancaster and Carlisle.