FLIGHT of STONE STEPS - NATLAND MILL BECK BRIDGE , Kendal, Cumbria

The flight of steps from the road down to the towpath are well used by locals but had become overgrown and unsafe as shown in the existing photograph. Kendal Civic Society initiated replacing the steps as part of the re-watering of the Lancaster to Kendal canal restoration project.

The sandstone steps follow the subtle double curved wall of the bridge and a limestone wall was constructed to retain and enclose the steps. The handrails are twisted steel rope fixed to the coping stones, which hanging off the end and the guard rope to the bottom landing droops authentically between the bridge and bollard. The ropes have a nautical feel, giving a light hearted spirit to the new steps which blend in with the bridge well.

The bridge is Listed Grade II. The materials are all sourced locally and was built with lime mortar by a local contractor.