Calva Bridge (also known as Workington Bridge) is an arch bridge, made up of three arches, carrying the A596 over the River Derwent in Workington. The bridge carries an S2 carriageway with narrow footways on either side. Built in 1840, it was the lowest road bridging point of the River Derwent until the nearby Northside Bridge was built in 1904.
Calva Bridge crossing the River Derwent
Following flooding in 2009, Calva Bridge was badly damaged, leading to it being closed to traffic. It was originally thought the damage was terminal to the structure, meaning it would have to be demolished and replaced. However, further inspections revealed the bridge could in fact be repaired, and work began to be carried out. The bridge reopened to traffic in March 2011. While repair work was carried out, traffic was diverted across a temporary crossing a short way downstream, as Northside Bridge had been destroyed by the floodwaters. However, before the temporary crossing was built, drivers faced a lengthy detour via Papcastle Bridge, near Cockermouth.
Further flooding in 2015 led to the closure of Calva Bridge once again. However, this time it was only closed for a week or so, as it passed safety inspections, thus was reopened to traffic.
