Construction on the bridge by members of the Royal Engineers is due to begin today.
A statement from the MoD claims the decision to deploy the army was taken by ministers after Cumbria county council formally requested military assistance in providing a temporary crossing upstream from the badly damaged Calva bridge
Due to the state of the riverbanks at the proposed crossing point the bridge will only be suitable for pedestrian use though.
The MoD conformed up to 200 soldiers from the regular and territorial army will be engaged on the bridging task.
Commenting on the announcement armed forces minister Bill Rammell said: 'The armed forces were able to play their part in the magnificent rescue effort by the emergency services during the flooding, and I am very pleased that they will be able to make a further important contribution as the country helps people in Cumbria start to rebuild their communities after the devastation they suffered.'
A week after unprecedented rain fell in Cumbria local resident are still struggling to come to terms with the devastation.
Cumbria country council reports 21 road bridges remain closed, three of them having collapsed during the worst of the downpour.
PC Bill Barker died when a bridge in Workington collapsed last week.
A statement from the MoD claims the decision to deploy the army was taken by ministers after Cumbria county council formally requested military assistance in providing a temporary crossing upstream from the badly damaged Calva bridge
Due to the state of the riverbanks at the proposed crossing point the bridge will only be suitable for pedestrian use though.
The MoD conformed up to 200 soldiers from the regular and territorial army will be engaged on the bridging task.
Commenting on the announcement armed forces minister Bill Rammell said: 'The armed forces were able to play their part in the magnificent rescue effort by the emergency services during the flooding, and I am very pleased that they will be able to make a further important contribution as the country helps people in Cumbria start to rebuild their communities after the devastation they suffered.'
A week after unprecedented rain fell in Cumbria local resident are still struggling to come to terms with the devastation.
Cumbria country council reports 21 road bridges remain closed, three of them having collapsed during the worst of the downpour.
PC Bill Barker died when a bridge in Workington collapsed last week.
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