The Irish Gate Bridge in Carlisle was closed this morning with barrier tape and signs preventing access.
Spanning Castle Way, the white bridge is used by many pedestrians travelling between a nearby car park and the city centre.
It is also used as a vantage point for many photographers and film crews wishing to take images of Carlisle Castle.
At this time it is not known why the bridge, designed by Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall Architects was shut to pedestrians.
Since installation the bridge, also known as the Millennium Bridge, has been the subject of many lift closures. However, it is unusual for the main walkway to be shut.
White debris could be seen this morning at the foot of the castle lawn elevator tower. This may, or may not, be related to the closure of the bridge today.
Grubby coloured paintwork and general dirt were clearly visible on the underside of the bridge.
Carlisle City Council discussed spending about £35,000 on bridge improvements in 2001/2, these including shuttering for the lifts and anti-slip paint for the steps.
You can see images of the bridge, taken this morning, further down this page.
Irish Gate bridge
A competition was held to design the bridge, with the winners announced in February 1989.
Ove Arup were appointed lead engineers, RNJ scheme quantity surveyors and Kier Northern lead contractors.
Bridge statistics
- The bridge deck, which is 33m long and weighs 30 tonnes, was installed in April 2000.
- The deck mast is 20m long and weighs 10 tonnes.
- The north tower is 12m high, the south tower 13m high.
The Irish Gate Bridge was created on the site of the original medieval Irish Gate – the western portal in the walls that formerly encircled the City of Carlisle.
The bridge received planning permission on 7th August 1998. It was officially opened 9 October 2000.
The Irish Gate project website currently redirects to the City of Carlisle – Licensing Office
[slidepress gallery=’irish-gate-bridge-gallery’]
Further Information
Wayback Machine – Irish Gate Bridge project website
Fort dig reveals downside of life on Hadrian’s Wall – The Telegraph
City’s millennial bridge project gets the wobbles – The Independent on Sunday