Army Pontoon Bridges

[rov1200]

Now that 6 bridges have collapsed and many more facing destruction causing misery to residents of the Lake District why can't the Army build pontoon bridges to ease the problem?

[123everton]

My thoughts exactly, although I imagine they would need to post somebody on it to regulate the traffic and monitor the river.

[vulcan]

The Army engineers have been out assessing bridges this weekend, perhaps they're checking where pontoon bridges could be used.

[SeaJayPea]

They can, and no doubt will. But they'll have to wait until the risk of further flooding goes away and that waterlogged ground dries out sufficiently for them to be constructed safely. They'll also have to be brought to the sites from god knows where they're stored. Sod's Law says there won't be any for 100's of miles.

[Panic Button]

They are probably in Afghanistan.

[123everton]

They won't do it in bad weather, but the reality is that the army could assemble them in most any weather and under gunfire.
The delay in deployment will be from the sodden ground, for the army a mettled road is not an issue but for the public it is a must.

[Panic Button]

Will they have to restrict traffic on them, or just let as much across as chooses to go?

[123everton]

They would have to be marshalled, the river monitored and the bridge inspected reguarly.

[Avatar]

"Now that 6 bridges have collapsed and many more facing destruction causing misery to residents of the Lake District why can't the Army build pontoon bridges to ease the problem?"

Because if stone bridges trhat have withstood the forces of nature for hundreds of years are collapsing under the pressure of water, perhaps a bridge based on floating on the same water just might not be up to the task?

[Booldawg]

I think some pontoon bridges work by resting the weight on either bank of the river (if there is sufficient height on the banks). This raises it above the water level.

[modeller]

As an ex Royal Engineer I can tell you there are no great problems . Many rivers can be bridged in a few hours.

[Panic Button]

That's interesting modeller.

Would these temporary bridges be able to cope with signicant traffic for quite a while?

[anotheoldgit]

A Pontoon bridge is a floating bridge, not a good idea in the circumstances, what is needed is a Bailey bridge, which is constructed in a lattice design.

This excerpt was taken from the history of Shardlow in Derbyshire.

//// In 1761 the Cavendish Bridge was opened as a toll bridge. In 1947 it washed away and the army provided a temporary Bailey Bridge, which was replaced by the present structure in 1957.////

So it was in use foe 10 years, that's not bad.

[rov1200]

AOG you may be right about Bailey bridges and I assume the Army are able to construct both and decide on the best method and have excellent experience in the field. I notice that civilian companies have now got into the act and offered to build temporary bridges but I would think the Army could carry out the operation quicker.

The confirmation by modeller, the ex Army RE gives some comfort as to their suitability considering the width of some rivers not to mention the river flow.

I suppose its all down to cost and of course with the Army involved the taxpayer is only paying for materials to do the job.

[anotheoldgit]

Here are us discussing the solutions to this terrific problem.

What is Brown doing in the meantime? The Sappers should be already there carrying out this urgent bridge building task while we type.

[buildersmate]

Here is a bunch of people on here discussing whether / why Brown hasn't got off his arris to get the Royal Engineers. I can tell you he has, pal - RE from S England went up there over the weekend.
Just because the details aren't in the Daily Mail yet doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

[mushroom25]

whereas the 2 key road bridges in workington are out of use effectively cutting the town in two, the rail bridge still stands, and the trains are running normally.

is it beyond the wit of authority to ask network rail to provide a temporary platform at northside, and northern rail to stop their trains at it?

[rov1200]

Mushroom because of the extra use of the railways I think they are considering just that.