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Flood bridge safety checks begin Flood bridge safety checks begin
(10 minutes later)
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.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.
Six bridges have already collapsed and officials are closely monitoring another in Workington. Six bridges have already collapsed and officials believe Calva Bridge in Workington may be about to fall.
More than 1,300 homes were affected and people have been advised not to return. Much of the UK faces more heavy rain.More than 1,300 homes were affected and people have been advised not to return. Much of the UK faces more heavy rain.
Meanwhile, in Powys, the bad weather is hampering the search for a woman who was swept along the River Usk in Brecon.Meanwhile, in Powys, the bad weather is hampering the search for a woman who was swept along the River Usk in Brecon.
And in Devon, a canoeist died after being pulled from the River Dart.And in Devon, a canoeist died after being pulled from the River Dart.
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''Still emergency phase'
There are currently 21 flood warnings in force across south-western and northern parts of England, Scotland and Wales.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
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.
Around 20,000 flood defence bags are to be handed out to people in Cockermouth and Keswick.Around 20,000 flood defence bags are to be handed out to people in Cockermouth and Keswick.
In addition to the six collapsed bridges, another six are closed in the county.In addition to the six collapsed bridges, another six are closed in the county.
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.
Some 24,000 people have paid tribute to the policeman on the social networking site Facebook.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.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 Cumbria County Council - road and bridge closures 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 Cumbria County Council - road and bridge closures 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, fire crews and structural engineers are continuing work to ensure buildings are safe.In the worst-hit areas, 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, about 70 people spent a third night in reception centres in Cockermouth.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.
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.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."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 CouncilCOLLAPSED 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 and Earn, 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.
Do you live near a bridge in a flooded area? What are conditions like where you are? Send us your experiences 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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