WORKS paving the way for construction of the new Pooley Bridge are now underway, marking another key milestone in the £5m scheme.

Cumbria County Council is delivering the replacement bridge project to create an iconic new structure which will be in keeping with the surrounding area.

Key stakeholders including the local community were involved in the design of the new structure, which will be the first stainless steel road bridge in the UK.

The new 128ft long single span structure will allow access over the river Eamont for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

It has been designed to be more resilient to future extreme weather events, after the original bridge was washed away during Storm Desmond.

Enabling works started on site on Wednesday, May 15.