THERE’S been a call in Workington to honour the policeman who died in the town following freak floods.

PC Bill Barker, 44, died when Northside Bridge collapsed while he was warning motorists to stay off it.

The bridge collapsed into the heavily swollen rover Derwent, taking the officer with it and his body was recovered some hours later on a beach at Allonby about 11 miles away.

A number of people, including a former mayor of the town Mel Pettit, are to start a campaign to re-name the bridge when it is eventually re-built.

It is known locally as Northside Bridge because it leads out of the town to the nearby estate.

Dozens of local residents have already suggested it should be called Barker Bridge in the officer’s memory.

Cumbria County Council has pledged to £50,000 to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund. It’s a bid to help communities recover from the severe floods that have hit the county.

The figure is just the start of what will be a huge financial task to get the affected people back into their homes as soon as possible.

The fund has been established by the Cumbria Community Foundation. Details of how to donate can be found at http://www.cumbriafoundation.org/

Cumbria’s recovery will undoubtedly be a long process that will take months and years to complete rather than days.

The funding matches the £50,000 that was has been confirmed from the North West Development Agency.

Jim Buchanan, Leader of the county council, said: “We will recover from this terrible situation and the county council will make sure that all agencies are in this for the long haul.

“We’ve got to make sure that Cumbria’s infrastructure is back up and running. The floods have lasted but the recovery will take months and years.

“We’re pleased to match the NWDA’s contribution and I would encourage other organisations to follow suit.”

Deputy Leader of the council Stewart Young said: “We welcome the fact the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund has been set up to help local communities to recover from this devastating event.

"The county council is leading the way in supporting recovery, and I very much hope that individuals and organisations in Cumbria and beyond will support this vital appeal.”

The Appeal has also received £50,000 from Nuclear Management Partners.

Cumbria Community Foundation organised the appeal for the Carlisle floods in 2005 and have everything in place to ensure that funding gets to the community groups and individuals who really need the support.

The fund will focus on providing money for individuals and families experiencing financial hardship or as a result of the floods.
It will also raise money for voluntary and community organisations that are spearheading the relief work.

Sheffield Council has also offered to lend a hand to help Cumbria deal with the aftermath of devastating floods.

Chief executive John Mothersole has written to Jill Stannard, his opposite number at Cumbria County Council.

He said: “Sheffield suffered severe flooding in 2007and having been through this ourselves, we will be more than happy to help.”

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