Cumbrian town is cut off as bridge is at risk of collapse

Nov 23 2009 By Michael Wood, The Journal

THE unprecedented rainfall which devastated parts of Cumbria "would have overwhelmed any defence" the Environment Agency said last night as residents faced up to the damage caused by the floods.

Structural engineers and military experts began an urgent safety review of the county’s 1,800 bridges as fears grew that Calva bridge in Workington was on the brink of being swept away.

The town was cut off, with Friday’s collapse of Northside bridge and closure of Calva bridge forcing residents to make lengthy detours.

Gusts reaching 55mph and more downpours were not helping the recovery effort but residents were pulling together to "get on with it".

The Environment Agency said river levels across the region were expected to remain relatively high for a few days although last night it downgraded three of the four severe flood warnings so just one was left – for the River Eamont at Eamont Bridge, Kemplay Foot, Skirsgill Lane and Southwaite Green Mill.

A spokesman said "the phenomenal rainfall would have overwhelmed any defence" and dredging the river at Cockermouth would have made "no difference whatsoever".

He said defences at Cockermouth were raised using a £100,000 investment following the January 2005 floods to protect against a one in a 100 year event. And he said, contrary to some reports, there were no outstanding upgrades due.

Initial inspections of flood defences suggested they were not damaged.

Director of Operations David Jordan said: "The rainfall levels we saw on Thursday and Friday were unprecedented, the highest ever recorded in the UK.

"They washed away road bridges that had stood for decades and no defence could have prevented the flooding we’ve seen. While conditions in Cumbria are improving, more heavy rain is forecast and (four) severe flood warnings remain in place."