New Workington road bridge will keep old name
Last updated at 19:34, Thursday, 01 March 2012
VIDEO: Workington's new permanent road bridge will be called Northside Bridge.
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Video:
Beams being put in place
Cumbria County Council this week confirmed the name after work to install the first beams was carried out at the weekend.
There had been calls for the bridge to be named in honour of PC Bill Barker, who died when the previous Northside Bridge collapsed during the 2009 floods.
Feedback from community consultation events before construction work began, however, showed that locals wanted to keep the original name.
PC Barker’s widow Hazel was also asked for her views on the name.
A council spokesman said: “Her view is that the community should decide what it is called and as everybody already refers to that location as Northside Bridge then it is apt to continue with its original name.”
However, the bridge will feature a memorial to PC Barker.
The spokesman added: “We have worked with Hazel Barker on a fitting tribute to her late husband.”
Northside Road was closed at the weekend while beams for the northern end of the bridge were lifted into position.
l See page 13 for more on the bridge work.
First published at 19:23, Thursday, 01 March 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
Having lived at Northside for many years before moving out after the flood. The bridge was never called Northside Bridge, I mean Northside Rd goes underneath the bridge running along side the Derwent.
All my life i have called it newbridge, but the original name is Workington Bridge. If the council realise what they are doing instead of doing what they always do,and decided something the town hates.I do agree with all the comments on PC Barkwer, Brendon saved more lifes than PC Barker.
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Have your say
Did u work that night saving people? have u ever been put in a situation like the police were? do you think police come across this every day or have training to do with this?
I for one worked that night helping people saving people and reassuring the community. Would you have liked the police to have stepped back and not bothered?? We worked long and hard saving people from the unexpected along with other members of the community. I think the recognition/memorial on the bridge will be a great thing to honor Bill a colleague friend family man and member of community who lost his life in a tragic accident in the line of duty. RIP Bill x
Posted by Mr A on 8 March 2012 at 18:07