BBC - See Workington's new footbridge

BBC Local

Cumbria

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

BBC Introducing

TV & Radio

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites

England

Page last updated at 12:47 GMT, Monday, 7 December 2009

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version

Cumbrian Floods 2009

Work starts to build a temporary footbridge across the River Derwent in Workington.

Foundations of new bridge are well underway

Around four thousand tonnes of aggregate has been used to form the foundations of the 110-ton structure.

The bridge, which was being made in sections in Lancashire, was transported to Cumbria by troops from the Royal Logistic Corps.

TA soldiers from Workington were involved in the operation. It's the first time in decades the TA has been formally mobilised for a military operation in the UK.

The RNLI prepare to fire a line across the River Derwent. This was used to help guide the building of the new footbridge.

Royal Engineers are working to lay 4,000-tons of rock base foundations for the new bridge.

Some 200 soldiers were involved in the operation, including Royal Engineers, Royal Logistic, Royal Signals and Royal Military Police.

The Army brought in heavy lifting gear to cope with the build of the new bridge.

The bridge is 51m in length and weighs some 110-tonnes.

The new bridge is named Barker Crossing, in memory of PC Bill Barker who died redirecting traffic off the Northside Bridge when it was washed away in the floods.