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Residents return to N. England homes after flood

An aerial view of the destroyed Northside bridge, in Workington England Friday Nov. 20, 2009 as floods submerge large parts of Cumbria. Military helicopters winched dozens of people to safety and emergency workers in inflatable boats rescued scores more as floods on Friday swamped northern England's picturesque Lake District. (AP Photo/ Peter Byrne/PA)

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Engineers survey the scene after a bridge over the River Derwent collapsed suddenly after heavy rainfall and flooding in Workington, England. Friday Nov. 20, 2009. Military helicopters have winched dozens of people to safety and emergency workers in inflatable boats have rescued scores more as floods swamped northern England's picturesque Lake District. (AP Photo/Chris Clark)

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A man walks down Cockermouth High Street, where flood water has receded after torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks, Cockermouth, Cumbria, England, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Raging floods engulfed northern England's picturesque Lake District on Friday following the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in Britain, killing a police officer and trapping dozens in their swamped homes. (AP Photo/Chris Clark)

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Republic of Ireland soccer fans protest outside the French Embassy, in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, over the controversial World Cup Qualifying match between the two countries on Wednesday night. One protester called for a boycott of products endorsed by the Gallic superstars as anger rose over the decision to allow their extra time winner despite French captain Thierry Henry's handball. (AP Photo / Julien Behal, pa)

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The Associated Press Updated 5:51 AM Monday, November 23, 2009

LONDON — Residents of flood-battered northern England are struggling back to work, school and homes after swollen rivers inundated roads and caused several bridges to collapse.

Police said residents and business owners in the hardest-hit town, Cockermouth, would be allowed to return to their properties Monday.

Some of the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in Britain triggered floods in the mountainous Lake District last week.

More than 1,000 homes were flooded and people had to be rescued by helicopter when rivers burst their banks.

Authorities say 18 schools remain closed, and more than two dozen roads are blocked.

A police officer was swept to his death when a major bridge collapsed Friday. Police and army experts are checking the safety of 1,800 bridges.

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November 23, 2009 10:46 AM EST

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