New bridge over troubled river waters

A brand new footbridge is set to open in Preston this weekend, ending the vacuum left when the old one was swept away in terrifying floods
The brand new carver footbridge set to open to the public on Saturday August 26The brand new carver footbridge set to open to the public on Saturday August 26
The brand new carver footbridge set to open to the public on Saturday August 26

The bridge, which cost £500,000 and connects Coupe Green and Gregson Lane to Samlesbury, was built by Lancashire County Council’s in-house team.

It is a result of the old carver bridge being washed away in the floods that ravaged Lancashire in late 2015, where 100mm of rain fell in just 24 hours, leaving hundreds without power and families needing to be evacuate.

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The bridge is twice as long as it’s predecessor and much higher, with the improved design being better at resisting damage from future floods should water levels in the River Darwen become too high.

County coun and cabinet member for highways and transport, Keith Iddon, said: “Many bridges in the area were badly damaged during the floods in the winter of 2015 and the new Carver Bridge is part of our ongoing plans to repair them.

“It’s great that people will once again be able to cross the River Darwen by foot at Coupe Green.

“The new bridge is built to resist higher flood waters and is stronger than the original.”

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“The bridge is arched and built in a style that fits in with the surrounding area. Supports at either end of the bridge have been covered using stonework from the original Carver Bridge.”

The new bridge is made from sustainable hardwood, which lasts for around 50 years before it needs replacing.

The bridge was been constructed through funding received from the Department for Transport and opens to the public on Saturday August 26.