West Sussex County Council is sending out divers to test the stability of all bridges that cross rivers in the county.
In comes after a road bridge in Cumbria collapsed, claiming the life of a policeman.
Councillor Derek Whittington, in charge of transport at West Sussex County Council, said: 'This is because the forces imposed on structures during such extreme conditions can be immense resulting in a catastrophic failure with little or no warning.'
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