Infrastructure

- A 52-metre temporary steel footbridge, Barker Crossing, has been built across the River Derwent in Workington, connecting the two sides of the town for the first time. The bridge was built by army engineers in a project co-ordinated by the county council and funded by the Department for Transport. New traffic control measures have been put into place to help drivers and residents.

- It has been confirmed that a temporary road bridge will be built in Workington by late spring 2010. The temporary bridge will be a two-lane road bridge capable of taking HGVs up to 44-tonnes, therefore supporting the needs of local businesses. It will also have a pedestrian footway and cycleway. The project is being co-ordinated by Cumbria County Council and funded by the Department for Transport. 

- In the immediate aftermath of the floods, 17 road bridges were closed plus 3 had collapsed (20 in total). Now 7 road bridges are closed, 3 collapsed (10 in total). Five bridges were reopened in the first week alone and visual inspections have taken place on all 1,240 bridges in the county which are near water. Full structural inspections on 2 bridges still need to take place, but have been hindered by high water levels impeding the ability of divers to inspect underwater foundations.

- Other inspection and survey work has been carried out on road surfaces, 40 rock and soil slopes and streetlights in flood-affected areas.

- Immediately after the floods 7,500 people lost their electricity supply after nine substations were flooded and 2km of overhead lines were swept away. 80% of customers had their electricity restored within the first 12 hours, with 120 engineers working around the clock to get people back on power. 

- A widespread inspection of water and waste water sites has been completed, with no issues affecting customers. Preparations are in hand for two new replacement water pipes at Lorton and Rogerscale, where around 22 people are currently being supplied by a temporary overland water main. Plans are also in place to lay new a gas main under the river at Cockermouth to replace the one on the bridge (this will have no effect on supplies to users).

- Public transport networks have been improved, with extra bus and train services on the west coast and a temporary rail station built by Network Rail in north Workington to improve links on the two sides of the river. Rail travel between north and south Workington is free and shuttle buses have been provided from the new station to the new temporary footbridge. An integrated ticket has been provided to help people travel on both bus and train services. Additional school transport services have also been provided for all children travelling between north and south Workington. 

- Highways engineers have made considerable progress on plans for a permanent road bridge in Workington as well as engineering measures to ease the congestion at Papcastle Bridge.

- Gritting routes have been reprioritised to reflect new journeys being made by people in areas where bridges are damaged. Roadside salt and grit heaps washed away in the floods have been fully replenished. 

- The safety of walkers has also been addressed, with any footpaths or bridleways with public safety issues clearly signed either ‘do not use’ or ‘use with care’. The countryside remains open, although a proportion of bridges both in the Lake District National Park and further afield in the county have been damaged and users need to take care and heed any notices.