22 November 2009
Update Sunday 13.15pm United Utilities' engineers have successfully safeguarded its water and electricity assets on the Calva Bridge in Workington following reports it is likely to collapse.
Water engineers have re-distributed supplies from one part of the network to another and electricity engineers have gained access to a flooded line switch, which has enabled them to secure supplies should the bridge collapse.
A spokesperson said: "Our engineers on the ground have been working tirelessly to protect these supplies for customers.
"Access to the flooded line switch involved an engineer swimming out in scuba gear to isolate it and ensure that power was protected."
United Utilities' engineers are putting contingency plans in place to maintain water and electricity services following reports that the Calva Bridge in Workington is likely to collapse.
Water engineers are currently re-distributing supplies from one part of the network to another to ensure nearby homes will continue to have drinking water.
Electricity engineers have confirmed that 374 customers in the Workington area would lose power if the bridge collapses, but plans are in place to restore supplies as quickly as possible.
A spokesperson said: "We would be able to restore supplies quickly to all but 194 of the 374 customers fed by the cable running over the bridge.
In order to restore the rest of the customers we need to gain access to a flooded line switch, which is located in a flooded field.
We have requested assistance to arrange to get access to the line switch.
We will do everything possible to restore supplies quickly and safely.
In the meantime we will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency, police and local authorities.