Royal Engineers are returning to dismantle a bridge they repaired after a police officer was swept away during severe floods.
Cumbria was hit by drastic weather in 2009 causing the River Derwent burst its banks and devastate the town of Workington.
PC Phil Barker was killed when the Northside Bridge near the police station collapsed, forcing the Army to build a temporary structure.
The 170ft Barker Crossing, named in his memory, will now be taken apart with the assistance of TA soldiers and Royal Logistics Officers following repairs to the nearby Calva Bridge.
Brigadier Bill Aldridge, Commander of 42 (North West) Brigade, oversaw the installation and will now manage the deconstruction.
He said: “The Royal Engineers are very proud of the crossing and are pleased to be returning to Cumbria in happier circumstances.
“Barker Crossing was only ever a temporary emergency measure until other bridges could serve the same purpose. Extracting the bridge is a relatively complex operation and will mean we have to close Barepot Road for three days to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We are very grateful to the very patient residents. We have been made most welcome and have been glad to be able to use some of the engineering skills we use in Afghanistan to support Cumbria in its time of need.”
The bridge sections will be taken to pieces by a 128-strong team of soldiers, and transported by military DROPS vehicles to the Eddie Stobart yard in Lillyhall Industrial Estate, Cumbria.
For more information on the Royal Engineers, you can visit www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers or log onto www.army.mod.uk/structure/17244.aspx for reading on the Territorial Army.
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