Spark Bridge
| Spark Bridge | |
 Road into Spark Bridge from the north |
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  Spark Bridge |
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| OS grid reference | SD305849 |
|---|---|
| Civil parish | Egton with Newland |
| District | South Lakeland |
| Shire county | Cumbria |
| Region | North West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ULVERSTON |
| Postcode district | LA12 |
| Dialling code | 01229 |
| Police | Cumbria |
| Fire | Cumbria |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Barrow and Furness |
| Westmorland and Lonsdale | |
Coordinates: 54°15′18″N 3°03′58″W / 54.255°N 3.066°W
Spark Bridge is a former mill village in Cumbria, England sited within the Lake District national park. The village is situated away from the main road on the river Crake which flows from Coniston to Morecambe bay at Greenodd. 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. The bus X 12 runs Monday to Saturday to Coniston or in the other direction to Ulverston and Barrow in Furness.
Speed restrictions
Cumbria County Council have recently placed a 30 mile per hour speed restriction on the village. Signs for these have recently been erected along with new signs reading the name of the village, these are located on all 5 main roads into the village
River Crake
The River Crake passes from Coniston Water four miles away through Spark Bridge en route to the Leven Estuary.
2009 Flooding
During 2009 the village flooded.
November 2009 saw some flooding in the village, 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.
Cumbria Police closed the main bridge on Thursday night around 7 p.m. to all on foot and in cars, they feared that the damage could have been caused to the bridge but a later examination showed that it was undamaged.
External links
Media related to Spark Bridge at Wikimedia Commons