Last month the Environment Agency announced that they were starting work on a new £25 million flood risk management scheme that will better protect more than 1,600 homes and businesses in Carlisle, Cumbria.
Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency officially marked the occasion with the first spade in the ground on 31 July 2019 at Walkmill Crescent in Carlisle.
Phase one of the Carlisle Flood Risk Management scheme will reduce flood risk to more than 1,200 homes and 106 businesses at a cost of £8 million pounds. This is increasing protection from the previous scheme (completed in 2005) to a 0.5% chance of flooding in any one year.
The first phase of the new scheme will involve building and improving flood defences at Melbourne Park, the raising of land at the entrance to Tesco at the junction off Warwick Road, as well as work on and around Botcherby Bridge to improve the flow of water.
In addition to raising and extending the existing flood walls, work during the first phase will also include enhancing wildlife habitats in Melbourne Park and improving recreation facilities, including new park benches and entrance features. The Environment Agency will also be planting extensive wildflower meadows to increase the number of native birds, amphibians, small mammals and pollinators. The habitat will primarily support native pollinators including butterflies, moths and bees, helping to sustain insects that pollinate our food crops.
Bevan said, "this important project will also benefit the environment by enhancing essential habitats and increasing biodiversity across the area, creating better spaces for local people and wildlife. It will do what the Environment Agency exists to do: create a better place".
Stuart Mounsey, the Environment Agency's Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for Cumbria added, "this scheme will have the highest standard of protection outside London and York, and whilst we can never guarantee that there will never be future flooding, we hope that this scheme will bring peace of mind to the public".
The £25 million scheme will be delivered over three phases in total and will better protect 1,600 homes and businesses by its completion in 2021.
The Environment Agency is working towards submitting the planning application for the further phases during winter 2019.
