UK police, army check safety of 1,800 bridges after northern Britain battered by record storms

Published Sunday November 22nd, 2009

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON - Police and army experts say they're urgently checking the safety of about 1,800 bridges in northern England amid some of the worst storms ever recorded in Britain.

Enlarge Photo

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Scott Heppell

A gaggle of geese are seen in the flood waters, on the main street of Cockermouth, England Friday Nov. 20, 2009 .

Heavy rainfall has ravaged England's popular Lake District, with more than 1,000 homes flooded and several river crossings destroyed. Police said Sunday that concerns over the safety of bridges have crippled the region's road network.

A police officer was swept to his death Friday when a major bridge collapsed close to Cockermouth, the hardest-hit town.

Britain's Met Office said a record 12.3 inches (314.4 millimeters) of rain had fallen near Cockermouth in 24 hours. Military helicopters were scrambled Friday to winch people from rooftops, while debris floated down the town's flooded main street.

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