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Flooded town united by new bridge Flooded town united by new bridge
(about 2 hours later)
A Cumbrian town split in half by floods which killed a police officer and forced hundreds to flee their homes has been reunited with a new footbridge. A Cumbrian town divided when floods destroyed its river crossings, killing a police officer, has been re-united by a temporary footbridge.
Workington's new Barker Crossing, built by the Army, is named after Pc Bill Barker who died when Northside Bridge collapsed as he tried to clear traffic. Workington's Barker Crossing, built by the Army, is named after Pc Bill Barker who died when Northside Bridge was washed away during last month's floods.
Schoolchildren were the first to cross the temporary bridge today, as heavy rain began to fall across the county. The 170ft (52m) bridge across the River Derwent took a week to build.
The Met Office has warned of up to 15mm of rain within the next few hours. Schoolchildren were the first to use the new crossing, as heavy rain again fell across the county.
Around a dozen flood watches remain in Cumbria, but rain is forecast to be less persistent over the next 24 hours.
The bridge was built in a week by the ArmyThe bridge was built in a week by the Army
The 170ft (52m) Barker Crossing, which spans the River Derwent, took one week to build.
The work was co-ordinated by the Army, with help from the Royal Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps, Royal Signals and the Royal Military Police.
It is the first time since the floods that people in Workington have been able to cross the river, other than by rail.It is the first time since the floods that people in Workington have been able to cross the river, other than by rail.
In addition to the collapse of Northside Bridge, a footbridge was also destroyed, and the town's Calva Bridge was left unstable.In addition to the collapse of Northside Bridge, a footbridge was also destroyed, and the town's Calva Bridge was left unstable.
Since then some school pupils have endured three-hour bus journeys and strain has been put on the road network in West Cumbria. Since then some school pupils have endured long bus journeys and strain has been put on the road network in west Cumbria.
Major Nigel Hindmarsh, of the Royal Engineers, said the new bridge had been constructed to withstand a one in a hundred year flood. Maj Nigel Hindmarsh, of the Royal Engineers, said the new bridge had been constructed to withstand a one in 100-year flood.
He said: "We can't counter against all eventualities, but what we've tried to do is make sure if there are any more repetitions of the other day then we'll be able to counter for that. He said: "I'm immensely proud of what my boys have achieved in the last 10 days, but also it's just been amazing the community spirit and the support that we've had from the locals in everything that we've been doing."
AT THE SCENE By John Thorne, in WorkingtonAT THE SCENE By John Thorne, in Workington
In the heavy rain and swirling Cumbrian wind, the Royal Engineers who'd built the bridge proudly lined up across their construction as the first Workington "customers" tested a structure built in record time. In the heavy rain and swirling Cumbrian wind, the Royal Engineers who had built the bridge proudly lined up across their construction as the first Workington "customers" tested a structure built in record time.
The soldiers clapped and smiled as 100 or so schoolchildren scampered laughing and jostling across the swollen River Derwent.The soldiers clapped and smiled as 100 or so schoolchildren scampered laughing and jostling across the swollen River Derwent.
This was the first time since the tragic floods last month that the communities on the south and north banks of the river in Workington had been directly connected.This was the first time since the tragic floods last month that the communities on the south and north banks of the river in Workington had been directly connected.
This 51-metre temporary bridge was named "Barker's Crossing" after a campaign organised by local teenagers on YouTube first suggested it bear the name of Bill Barker, the Cumbrian police officer who died when a town bridge was swept away in the floods. The bridge was named Barker's Crossing after a campaign organised by local teenagers on YouTube.
Grace Friar, a student at the local sixth form college, said the new bridge which now replaces the 18-mile diversion would save her two hours travel a day. Soldiers work to unite flood town Grace Friar, a student at the local sixth form college, said the new bridge which now replaces an 18-mile diversion, would save her two hours travel a day. Soldiers work to unite flood town
"I'm immensely proud of what my boys have achieved in the last 10 days, but also it's just been amazing the community spirit and the support that we've had from the locals in everything that we've been doing." Capt Caroline Graham-Brown from the Royal Engineer helped design the new crossing in Workington.
The bridge is almost identical to one recently built by British Army engineers across a canal in Helmand Province. She said when the team first arrived at the site, it was under water.
Captain Caroline Graham-Brown from the Royal Engineer helped design the new temporary crossing in Workington. She said when the team first arrived at the site, it was under water. She said: "It's amazing how quickly it's gone in.
She said: "It's amazing how quickly it's gone in. We got here two weeks ago, and the initial sort of site survey was the first thing that we undertook and since then it's really been a very, very short time to get the guys on the ground building it and then the bridge into the position that you see now." "We got here two weeks ago, and the initial sort of site survey was the first thing that we undertook and since then it's really been a very, very short time to get the guys on the ground building it and then the bridge into the position that you see now."
Inspector Mark Wear, of Workington Police, said: "This footbridge is a tangible symbol of how we are starting to rebuild the area and getting back to normal. Insp Mark Wear, of Workington Police, said: "This footbridge is a tangible symbol of how we are starting to rebuild the area and getting back to normal.
"I am pleased that its name commemorates my friend and colleague Bill, who died saving lives right here in Workington. He was committed to serving his community and for him to be remembered in this way is a tribute to his memory." "I am pleased that its name commemorates my friend and colleague Bill, who died saving lives right here in Workington.
Plans for a new temporary road bridge are expected to be outlined in the next few days. "He was committed to serving his community and for him to be remembered in this way is a tribute to his memory."
However, it is thought that North and South Workington may not be reconnected by road until summer 2010. Plans for a temporary road bridge are expected to be outlined in the next few days.
However, it is thought north and south Workington may not be reconnected by road until next summer.
Railway bridge: Previously the only link between the two sides of the town, this bridge is accessible from a temporary station built on the north sideNorthside Bridge: The foundations of this bridge, which collapsed 20 November, are too damaged for a temporary footbridge to be built over the remainsNorthside footbridge: This footbridge, a quick option for pedestrians, collapsed during the floodsCalva Bridge: This bridge has been closed by the council after suffering structural damage, including large cracks in the foundationsTemporary footbridge: This new bridge can carry up to 80 tonnes