Workington: a case study in coordination and communication
This study was carried out to identify the social impact of losing transport links within a community, and the practices of coordination and communication during and after an extreme adverse event. In November 2009, Workington, Cumbria had most of its bridges either damaged or destroyed during a major flood. The effects of the disaster were immediate, while the subsequent planning and recovery process took time. Over 3 years, Cumbria County Council (CCC) went through a coordinated process of installing temporary infrastructure, building and repairing Workington's bridges. A desk based investigation of the disaster and the recovery process using websites and the local press demonstrates a coordinated approach to replace Workington's infrastructure and the importance of communication in the town's recovery. CCC, through a series of practical measures, reduced disruption within the community in stages. The reconstruction of the town's bridges involved communication and public consultation about the new infra.