Source Material the for Municipal Engineer Workington Article

The recovery of Workington after its infrastructure failed in 2009 was a desk based study. From January to December 2014 secondary data was gathered from the internet. These materials give a narrative of events with the loss of infrastructure and the building of temporary and permanent bridges. The article is about recovery and also communicating with the general public. A series of documents show that the public were consulted and the planning application was part of the process. 

Other documents illustrate Cumbria County Council’s contractual relationships with partners. The Calva Bridge Award press release (CCC15112011) was used to show the relationship between the Council, Connect Roads and Balfour Beatty. These relationships were not found in the main text, but the notes for editors. The Capitapartnerships document shows Capita Symonds relationship with Cumbria County Council. Both Capita and Amey had TUPE transferred Council staff into their organisations and then transferred them back. 

Certain stories contain a lot different information with the Gordon Brown story (N&S26112009) mentioning his visit and offering pay for recovery. It also mentions the utilities running across the Calva Bridge, which could be lost if the bridge collapsed further and the increased number of passengers using the rail service. This story was referenced because it mentioned increased usage of the train, but the other elements help to create an overall narrative. 

The comments document (N&S17082012comments) gives a history of the time it took to build the original Northside Bridge. The comments show that people were negative and positive about the Council. The Northern Rail story provides some history about the temporary railway station, the numbers using the station at its peak and its closure.  


Many of the documents used were about actions such as the actions of Cumbria County Council, contractors and residents. Consultation and communication were key words to discribe the events and presentations mentioned in documents. Other documents focus on the building process and can contain some technical information.