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Flood bridge safety checks begin Flood bridge safety checks begin
(about 4 hours later)
Work to examine the safety of 1,800 bridges across Cumbria is getting under way after heavy rain and floods weakened some structures. A safety review of all 1,800 bridges in Cumbria is being carried out after severe flooding caused extensive damage to homes and roads in the county.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown ordered the review during a visit on Saturday, when he pledged £1m for flooded communities.Prime Minister Gordon Brown ordered the review during a visit on Saturday, when he pledged £1m for flooded communities.
More than 1,300 homes were affected and people have been advised not to return for fear of hampering recovery efforts. Much of the UK faces more heavy rain. Six bridges have already collapsed and officials are closely monitoring another in Workington.
More than 1,300 homes were affected and people have been advised not to return. Much of the UK faces more heavy rain.
Meanwhile, a canoeist died after being pulled from the River Dart in Devon.Meanwhile, a canoeist died after being pulled from the River Dart in Devon.
He had become caught against a tree in stormy weather. Two others were airlifted to hospital suffering hypothermia.He had become caught against a tree in stormy weather. Two others were airlifted to hospital suffering hypothermia.
'Still emergency phase'
There are currently 21 flood warnings in force across south-western and northern parts of England, Scotland and Wales.
In pictures: Cumbria aftermath Flood victims face more chaos Tributes paid to flood death PcIn pictures: Cumbria aftermath Flood victims face more chaos Tributes paid to flood death Pc
There are still 22 flood warnings in force across south-western and northern parts of England, Scotland and Wales.
BBC weather forecaster Sarah Wilmshurst warned: "A lot of rain is going to fall just where we don't need it."
Four "severe" flood warnings - posing a threat of "extreme danger to life and property" - still apply to Cumbria.Four "severe" flood warnings - posing a threat of "extreme danger to life and property" - still apply to Cumbria.
There, council inspectors closed two more bridges on Saturday - making a total of 13 across the county and prompting the prime minister to order the review.There, council inspectors closed two more bridges on Saturday - making a total of 13 across the county and prompting the prime minister to order the review.
A number of crossings have been damaged by heavy flooding and Pc Bill Barker was killed in the early hours of Friday when a bridge outside Workington collapsed.A number of crossings have been damaged by heavy flooding and Pc Bill Barker was killed in the early hours of Friday when a bridge outside Workington collapsed.
Police were warning the public to stay away from Calva Bridge in Workington, which they fear may collapse. Some 24,000 people have paid tribute to the policeman on the social networking site Facebook.
Police say they are closely monitoring Calva Bridge in Workington and are warning the public not to cross it under any circumstances.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency, Chris Robinson, said the checks were a "sensible precaution".A spokesman for the Environment Agency, Chris Robinson, said the checks were a "sensible precaution".
"[With the need to] get under way with the clean-up operation and also [for] emergency services to be able to react to the incident, then bridges are obviously important parts of the infrastructure," he said."[With the need to] get under way with the clean-up operation and also [for] emergency services to be able to react to the incident, then bridges are obviously important parts of the infrastructure," he said.
"It's important that we do know that they're safe in order for us to use them.""It's important that we do know that they're safe in order for us to use them."
The Highways Agency is to examine safety at bridges on most major trunk roads, while Department of Transport officials will work with the local authority on the remainder.The Highways Agency is to examine safety at bridges on most major trunk roads, while Department of Transport officials will work with the local authority on the remainder.
FLOOD ADVICE Cumbria Police casualty bureau: 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010Floodline number 0845 988 1188 What to do if floods hit Key local info from BBC Cumbria Environment Agency (England and Wales) Scottish Environment Protection Agency BBC Weather The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites FLOOD ADVICE Cumbria Police casualty bureau: 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010Floodline number 0845 988 1188 href="http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/">Cumbria County Council - road and bridge closures class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8370243.stm">What to do if floods hit Key local info from BBC Cumbria Environment Agency (England and Wales) Scottish Environment Protection Agency BBC Weather The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency is to check the county's flood defences for damage.Meanwhile, the Environment Agency is to check the county's flood defences for damage.
In the worst-hit areas, such as Cockermouth and Workington, fire crews and structural engineers are continuing work to ensure buildings are safe.In the worst-hit areas, such as Cockermouth and Workington, fire crews and structural engineers are continuing work to ensure buildings are safe.
While many of those forced out of their homes were staying with friends and family, 94 spent another night in reception centres. While many of those forced out of their homes were staying with friends and family, about 70 people spent a third night in reception centres in Cockermouth.
Adrian Holme, group manager for the fire service in Cumbria at Penrith, said the operation was still in its "emergency" phase but they were hoping soon to move to "recovery" and clean-up.Adrian Holme, group manager for the fire service in Cumbria at Penrith, said the operation was still in its "emergency" phase but they were hoping soon to move to "recovery" and clean-up.
Special high-volume pumping fire engines were being brought in from Tyne and Wear and Merseyside, to pump the water out of basements and streets and into the river, once the levels fall.Special high-volume pumping fire engines were being brought in from Tyne and Wear and Merseyside, to pump the water out of basements and streets and into the river, once the levels fall.
An army of council road sweepers is ready to clean the sludge off the streets and a decontamination tent has been set up in the centre of the town to combat sewage which may have leaked into the water.An army of council road sweepers is ready to clean the sludge off the streets and a decontamination tent has been set up in the centre of the town to combat sewage which may have leaked into the water.
Cockermouth's Main Street was left strewn with debris, shop windows were smashed and cars dented by the force of the flood water.Cockermouth's Main Street was left strewn with debris, shop windows were smashed and cars dented by the force of the flood water.
The Bishop of Carlisle James Newcombe praised the "grit, resilience and astonishing sense of humour" of people in the area.
"One of the most encouraging things about all of this is the way in which people have worked together to help the unfortunate people who have been most affected," he said.
More heavy showersMore heavy showers
United Utilities says 40 waste treatment works which have been put out of action should be in service within three days. Tap water is safe to drink, the firm says.United Utilities says 40 waste treatment works which have been put out of action should be in service within three days. Tap water is safe to drink, the firm says.
Recovery efforts may be hampered by further rain, following on from the record 314.4mm (12.4in) which fell at Seathwaite Farm in Cumbria over 24 hours before the weekend.Recovery efforts may be hampered by further rain, following on from the record 314.4mm (12.4in) which fell at Seathwaite Farm in Cumbria over 24 hours before the weekend.
COLLAPSED BRIDGES Northside bridge, WorkingtonNorthside footbridge, WorkingtonLorton, near CockermouthNewlands Beck bridge, near KeswickCamerton footbridgeSuspension footbridge over River Eamont *Source: Cumbria County Council
Forecasters say Sunday afternoon will bring more heavy showers, with up to 40mm (1.6in) of rain in the county.Forecasters say Sunday afternoon will bring more heavy showers, with up to 40mm (1.6in) of rain in the county.
Much of north-west England, south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland faces similar showers and gales.Much of north-west England, south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland faces similar showers and gales.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which has issued six flood warnings covering the Ayrshire coast and rivers Tay, Isla, Earn and Teith said rain on Sunday would cause water levels to rise again. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which has issued six flood warnings covering the Ayrshire coast and rivers Tay, Isla and Earn, said rain on Sunday would cause water levels to rise again.
However, it said flooding on the scale of Friday - when up to 40 businesses in Dumfries were flooded and about a dozen of the area's roads were closed - was unlikely.However, it said flooding on the scale of Friday - when up to 40 businesses in Dumfries were flooded and about a dozen of the area's roads were closed - was unlikely.
Are you in one of the areas on flood alert? What are conditions like where you are? Send us your comments and pictures. Do you live near a bridge in a flooded area? What are conditions like where you are? Send us your experiences and pictures.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.
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