Fears grow as rain continues to hit Cumbria

Nov 25 2009 The Journal

FEARS that a vital bridge in Cumbria may collapse mounted yesterday as yet more heavy rain battered the flood-stricken county.

Calva Bridge, which carries communication cables, has been declared unsafe and dropped several inches.

People in Workington were told if it collapsed, 1,000 homes north of the river would lose their telephone connections.

The Environment Agency warned last night that more rain could lead to further flood warnings across the Lake District and river levels were expected to peak early today.

It is feared rising waters could bring down the bridge which crosses the River Derwent, the same stretch of water which claimed the life of PC Bill Barker last Friday as he shepherded people from Northside Bridge.