25/03/2010 - Cumbrian town reopens after floods
Businesses in a flood-devastated town are reopening after recovery work was completed on its high street.
Residents in Cockermouth, in Cumbria, suffered flooding four months ago that saw them submerged by 8ft of water.
The River Cocker and Derwent overflowed and torrents of water gushed through Main Street in November.
The town's two major bridges, Gote and Cocker, were damaged and a massive recovery effort was launched to repair them. They are now ready to reopen along with the street itself.
Tony Markley, from Cumbria County Council, said: "Main Street was right at the epicentre of the floods and the progress that has been made in getting to this point where the road and bridges are reopening has been a fantastic effort from the people in the community and a whole range of agencies and voluntary organisations."
Rosie Winterton, minister for flood recovery, said the Government committed more than £10.7 million to the recovery process.
More than 1,800 properties were affected by the record rainfall of November 18 to 20. Most home-owners are back in their properties but many are living upstairs while their lower floors dry out.
Grants totalling £900,000 have been handed out to 178 businesses affected by the floods.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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