Safety check for flood area bridges

Nov 22 2009

An urgent investigation into the safety of all 1,800 bridges in Cumbria is under way after the heaviest rainfall since records began swept several away and claimed the life of a policeman.

Gordon Brown pledged an extra £1 million of Government money to help flood-hit communities during a visit to Cockermouth, where rescue workers were still making door-to-door searches.

The Prime Minister praised the work of the emergency services and the community spirit of the people, which he said made him proud.

People in Cumbria were advised not to return to their homes, as forecasters predicted more downpours over the coming days which could hamper the recovery effort.

Pc Bill Barker was directing motorists away from Northside Bridge at Workington when it collapsed at about 4.40am on Friday and he disappeared into the swollen waters of the River Derwent. His body was recovered later.

Cumbria County Council said inspectors visited the bridge last July for routine checks and found it to be structurally sound. But all of Cumbria's 1,800 bridges are now undergoing inspections in the wake of the floods.

Inspectors closed two more bridges on Saturday - Station Road Bridge in Keswick and Workington Bridge, including the footpath which runs underneath - meaning 13 have now been shut across the county.

People were being urged to stay away from Calva Bridge in Workington which police said could collapse affecting power supplies in the surrounding area.

During his two-hour visit to Cockermouth, the Prime Minister toured the centre of the town and witnessed the devastation. He also met flooded-out residents who were taking shelter at the Shepherd's Hotel in Cockermouth.

Ann Burns, 76, who has spent two nights at the centre, said: "He tries, I'll give him that. We all need a bit of a lift. I'm going back to nowt. I was one of the first ones evacuated and taken here, I hardly know what day it is. I'm not bothered, I'm still breathing."