Unmarked police cars have been watching closely at two bridges near Kendal after a surge of drivers chose to ignore legally imposed weight limits. Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges, which cross the A591, were reopened in February with a seven and a half tonne restriction. Yet some motorists pressed on as if nothing had changed, prompting renewed warnings and a visible enforcement effort.
Both bridges were closed in 2024 because of structural concerns. Subsequent checks revealed no signs of significant deterioration, which allowed them to reopen. Even so, the limit was not optional. Westmorland and Furness Council stressed that “drivers ignoring weight restrictions” were committing a criminal offence and “risking the lives of themselves and others”.
These bridges date back to the 1970s. They are reinforced concrete half joint bridges, a design that the council says is responsible for the need to impose limits. Engineers may not see dramatic damage yet, but the rules exist to prevent exactly that.idh
The message was clear. Keep within the limit or face consequences.
Enforcement has escalated. Unmarked police cars are now patrolling the area. Cumbria Police has been working with the council, which has also installed enhanced monitoring in an effort to deter further breaches. Councillor Peter Thornton, a Liberal Democrat and cabinet member for highways, warned that if drivers kept flouting the limits the council would “have to review the situation and the options available to us”.
Local authorities rarely choose these measures lightly. In this case the combination of a known design issue and repeated non compliance has forced their hand. The bridges have reopened, but their future will depend on whether drivers start paying attention to the law intended to protect both infrastructure and public safety.
