Crossing tribute footbridge named after hero PC

Published on Monday 7 December 2009 22:10

HEAVY rain fell yesterday as children officially opened a new footbridge named in honour of a hero policeman swept to his death in floods a fortnight ago.

Barker Crossing in Workington is named after PC Bill Barker, who died directing traffic off the town's Northside Bridge when it collapsed on 20 November.

The temporary footbridge is the first pedestrian link across the River Derwent to unite the north and south sides of the Cumbrian town since the floods.

Previously residents could cross the river only by boarding a train or making a 45-minute road detour via Cockermouth.

The 52-metre steel footbridge was constructed by the army.

It is sited 300 metres upstream from the unusable Calva Bridge, which is currently being assessed for repair or demolition.

Cumbria County Council engineers are assessing potential sites for a new road bridge, but this might not be ready until next summer.

Council leader Jim Buchanan said: "There has been a massive effort on all fronts to get to where we are today. We're pulling out all the stops."