Pooley Bridge – Reconnecting a community

Overview

Pooley Bridge is the North-Eastern gate into the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a uniquely beautiful landscape. The village provided a crossing over the river (hence its name) for more than 250 years through a 3-span stone arch bridge, built in 1764.

This Grade II listed structure served as a critical link in the daily life of the area. The shock after its abrupt removal in the floods of December 2015 was partially relieved by the installation of a temporary Bailey Bridge three months later, but its ongoing presence was also a daily reminder of loss and vulnerability. 

The recent opening of the new permanent bridge has been an emotional relief to the community reconnecting the Ullswater valley and restoring the normality of the village after five years. The new structure has been carefully designed following an intense stakeholder engagement process, listening to the community and focusing on their common aspirations to achieve a design that fits with their sense of identity and satisfies the technical standards.

Come attend this webinar to learn how Knight Architects and other project team members overcame difficulties in the project, as well as the drivers in providing the Stainless Steel Bridge.