National Highways has abandoned plans to close a vital bridge spanning the M6 in Cumbria after fierce opposition from motorists and local communities.
The agency said that Lawtland House Bridge, which carries the A685 over the motorway, will stay fully operational throughout major repair works scheduled to begin in 2027.
The reversal follows widespread complaints from residents and businesses who warned that shutting the bridge would force lengthy and expensive detours.
The structure had initially been included in an ambitious maintenance programme covering eight bridges along a six-mile section of the M6 between Junctions 37 and 38.
National Highways has confirmed the bridge will be excluded from immediate repairs, with maintenance postponed until after the four-year project concludes in 2031.
The original maintenance scheme encompassed eight structures along the Lune Gorge, with seven bridges supporting the motorway itself and Lawtland House Bridge serving as the sole crossing point over the M6.
Residents and businesses had expressed alarm at the prospect of the A685 closure, highlighting how the route serves as an essential connection between communities on either side of Cumbria's only motorway.
Critics warned that blocking this crucial link would result in substantial diversions, creating both financial burdens and time-consuming journeys for those who depend on the crossing daily.
The bridge carries the A685 over the M6 motorway in Cumbria
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The bridge is situated adjacent to the Roger Howe Bridge, which is managed by local authorities and already operates under weight restrictions for heavy vehicles.
Adam Williams, programme manager for National Highways, acknowledged that the bridge's structural problems were "not as critical" as those affecting the other seven structures in the maintenance programme.
He explained: "Lawtland House Bridge is the only bridge that goes over the M6 in the scheme and runs consecutively with the Roger Howe Bridge, which is owned by the local authority."
Mr Williams confirmed the structure remains part of future maintenance plans, but emphasised the shift in priorities.
The bridge was set to close as part of repair works along the M6
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The remaining seven bridges will undergo extensive repairs beginning in spring 2027, with completion expected by summer 2031.
Initial work will focus on the southbound carriageway before shifting to northbound lanes, requiring the installation of contraflow systems to maintain traffic flow.
Preparatory activities have already commenced, including vegetation clearance and the implementation of traffic management measures to enable safe access to the structures.
The main phase involves the complete replacement of the motorway's top deck on each bridge, addressing critical deterioration beneath the structures.
Drivers and residents had complained about the impact and the lengthy delays that closing the bridge would cause
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The bridges, which range from 46 to 142 metres in length, have suffered damage from half a century of increasing traffic volumes and exposure to road grit and water penetrating bridge joints.
The Lune Gorge section opened in 1975 and has endured significant strain from dramatically increased traffic volumes and heavier vehicles over five decades.
Mr Williams added: "Futureproofing it now will enhance safety for motorway users and reduce the cost and disruption of unplanned maintenance and emergency repairs, ensuring this section of the M6 plays a key role in connecting businesses and communities across the north and beyond for decades to come."
The replacement bridge decks are engineered to last more than 120 years, representing a once-in-a-generation investment in maintaining this vital transport link between northern and southern Britain.