£4.6m Government funding to pay for vital road bridge

The people of Cumbria are to benefit from £4.6 million of Government funding to pay for a road bridge over the River Derwent Transport Minister Sadiq Khan announced in Workington today.

The new bridge will replace the bridges damaged and destroyed by last year’s flooding. The funding will cover material, design and construction costs and the new bridge is expected to be open by May 2010.

This is the latest measure in a package of support provided by the Government to help Cumbria recover from the devastation caused by the flooding.

Other help has included the Barker Crossing (a temporary foot bridge), additional rail services to provide vital links across the river at Workington and funding for the cost of supplementary short-term project management resources.

Sadiq Khan said: “The Government is committed to helping the people of Cumbria recover from the devastation caused by last year’s flooding.

"The building of this bridge will be a vital step in reuniting the town and will make life easier for local residents and businesses who are still recovering from the devastation caused by last year's flooding.

"We will continue work with Cumbria County Council to identify what further funding is required to restore the area’s critical infrastructure.”
Following tender negotiations Cumbria County Council have contracted Morgan Est to construct the bridge.