Spark Bridge
| Spark Bridge | |
| Lancashire | |
|---|---|
 Road into Spark Bridge from the north | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SD305849 |
| Location: | 54°15’18"N, 3°3’58"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Ulverston |
| Postcode: | LA12 |
| Dialling code: | 01229 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Westmorland & Furness |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Barrow and Furness Westmorland and Lonsdale |
Spark Bridge is a former mill village in Lancashire, on the River Crake and within the Lake District national park. The village is situated beside the river and away from the main road. The Crake which flows from Coniston Water to Morecambe Bay at Greenodd, and Spark Bridge spans the river midway down its course.
The village green which is next to and gives access to the river is in the middle of the village surrounded by well maintained white painted cottages.
Canoeists use the village green to leave the river at this point, often using the Village Hall (which is just off the green) as a base.
Facilities in the village
There are two public houses, The Royal Oak Inn is central to the village; this was awarded a 4 star food safety award in 2008. There is also the Farmers Arms which is situated on the edge of the village on the main road from Greenodd. The village also has its own postbox, a telephone box and a bus stop. A bus runs Monday to Saturday to Coniston or in the other direction to Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness.
2009 Flooding
During November 2009, the village suffered from flooding, causing problems for local residents as many of the tributaries feeding the River Crake overflowed, feeding water on the local road network. This flood was a 'once in a thousand year event' according to the Environmental Agency. The main bridge was closed during the flood through fear that the damage could have been caused to the bridge but a later examination showed that it was undamaged.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Spark Bridge) |