Flooded town now ready for business
The Cumbrian town of Cockermouth has finally been opened for business four months after its two rivers burst their banks during heavy rain, leaving streets under eight feet of water.
The town's Main Street became one with the overflowing rivers Cocker and Derwent on the days of November 18, 19 and 20.
A huge clean-up of the area has been carried out and the street will now reopen, so will Cockermouth's two main bridges, Gote and Cocker.
The rainfall damaged 1,800 properties and although most home-owners are back living at home, many families have been forced to live on the upper floors of their property because the lower floors are still not dry.
A total of 178 businesses were given £900,000 in grants to pay for flood damage.
Tony Markley, from the 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."
Flood Recovery Minister Rosie Winterton said the Government had promised around £10.7 million to help people in Cockermouth recover from the floods.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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