Letter to the Editor – Newspaper and date of printing unknown
The Fatality at Eamont Bridge
Sir, - The accident at Eamont Bridge appears to warrant an opinion of the bridge in question by one who has used it hundreds of times in the last eight years, and, with all due deference to the judgement of others, I consider that there is no more dangerous place on the main roads of the two counties and the bridge must go at the earliest possible moment that such work can again be taken in hand. There are five certain points which make for bad accidents every day the bridge is in use; (1 and 2) From neither approach can one yard of the road beyond the summit be seen when 40 yards distance from the latter; (3) the bridge is very narrow; (4) the worst feature is the end of the Skirgill road, (which has proved itself in the present catastrophe); and (5) the impetus given to any wheeled vehicle, (when travelling from Penrith), by Kempley Brow, this having regard more particularly to point No. 4.
In addition to the traffic, there are nearly always children at play on one or both slopes of the approach and personally, I took such a dislike to the bridge and its environment that I used, when farming at Morland, to take the alternative route by Brougham Castle and Moorhouses when motoring into Penrith.
I realise exactly what the driver saw and did on this occasion, and, while holding no brief for Mr. W.F. Wood, I have known him all my life and he is, if nothing else, a man of iron nerve and cool judgement, who would act instantly for the best in the moments at his disposal.
No one need by surprised if another accident happens at this place, but if danger boards could be erected and a speed limit of 10 miles per hour imposed, it might help matters until an “ugly” suspension bridge is hung in place of the present “beautiful” death trap. – Yours, etc.,
G.W. GILBANKS,
Inns of Court O.T.C
26TH June,1918