The town cut in half by the Cumbria floods has helped to design a new �1.7 million crossing of the river Derwent
A graceful steel bow designed after workshops and discussions with local people will be opened between the two flood-divided halves of Workington on Saturday 10 September.
The 96 tonne structure was swung into place by cranes on either bank of the Derwent before concreting and footpath work completed the long-awaited crossing.
Replacing a temporary bridge built in a week by the Army, whose gentle swaying and tinny clatter when jumped-on became a children's attraction, the bridge will carry the old name - Navvies - of its predecessor which was damaged beyond repair in 2009. It is 60 metres long and will carry pedestrians and cyclists between housing on Northside, which was effectively marooned by the floods, and the town centre.
Ribbon-cutting on noon will be followed by much walking and cycling to and fro, with assorted groups highlighting the healthy effect of the bridge as well as its simple convenience for getting to the shops. Cumbria county council's �1.06 million was topped up by Big Lottery Fund money through the �43.5 million award to Sustrans for a national network of cycleways.
Tim Temple, project manager from Sustrans said:
It's fantastic to see the replacement Navvies bridge ready to provide a direct, traffic-free link, allowing local people to once again make more of their everyday journeys on foot or by bike.The great news is that there is more to come as part of this project, providing more safe and attractive routes for pedestrians and cyclists in Workington.
The bridge's designers incorporated local people's suggestions and hopes for something attractive-looking as well as practical and not too pricey. Coun Tony Markley, Cumbria's cabinet member for highways, said: "I believe that we have given them that." Sustrans has been a leading promoter of this 'join-in-the-design' approach to bridge building.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority also paid �100,000 towards the cost from its flood relief fund. Brian Hough, socio-economic manager for Cumbria whose nuclear industry centred on Sellafield is the area's biggest employer, said: "This bridge provides more than just a community link. As well as playing an important role in Workington, it will help the development of safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists across west Cumbria."
United States Alexander McCall Smith Kazakhmys Office for National Statistics Lancashire Internet
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