The release from the EA implies some protection is in place by stating ‘flood risk will not be increased by the delay’.
That is of course only saying that it has not been made any worse and protection is still only at pre Desmond conditions.
That is of course only saying that it has not been made any worse and protection is still only at pre Desmond conditions.
· An autumn start has inevitably run into to weather issues – this was predictable and a spring summer start should have been implemented for a 2019 improved protection.
· Delays such as this never come cheap and the cost will further dilute the capital sum available for works.
Should we mention, bridge on Warwick Road,?
will the xmas lights be Red Amber Green and on slow this year
will the xmas lights be Red Amber Green and on slow this year
Environment Agency News Release Monday 21 October 2019
Work paused on the Carlisle Flood Risk Management Scheme for the winter
The Environment Agency has taken the decision to temporarily pause construction of Phase 1 of the Carlisle flood risk management scheme during the winter months.
Since construction started in July 2019, we have encountered the wettest August and September in the last 30 years according to the Met Office. This has made working conditions for machinery and our teams on the ground difficult for both the in river works and embankment construction.
Works to date have been focussed in the Warwick Road area. The decision to pause has not been taken lightly and we consider it will be of greater benefit in the long run to pause rather than attempt to carry on through winter when we are likely to make little progress. Much of our plant and equipment will be moved from Melbourne Park in November and will return in 2020.
The change in the works timetable will not increase the flood risk to the local area. In addition to this flood scheme we have been preparing for the wetter winter period. Our 2019 winter readiness plans remain unchanged and include: replacing flood gates at the Caldew Maltings; control panel repairs at Little Caldew pumping station; repairs to flood embankments at Willowholme and Parham Beck; repairs to Durranhill flood storage basin; as well as regularly removing blockages and debris that would have increased flood risk.
Stewart Mounsey, flood manager for Cumbria, said: ‘I would like to reassure people that pause doesn’t mean stop. We will be busy behind the scenes working with our designers and contractor to plan our works for an accelerated start in spring 2020. Although we won’t be building embankments in the winter the public may see some activity in the winter months that will be supporting the accelerated return.
‘The pause does not affect the completion of our works which were originally planned for spring 2020 to enable the new defences to be built ahead of winter 2020. Pausing main construction works in winter 2019 will not affect our 2020 winter readiness or our ongoing preparations for delivery of Phases 2 and 3.’
We can never fully protect people from future flooding, so we would ask residents at risk of flooding to prepare in advance by going online at https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings and signing up for free flood warnings. Alternatively, they can telephone the Environment Agency Floodline on 0345 988 1188 and find out what they can do to protect themselves and their property when flooding hits.
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Notes to editor
· It is also important to plan how you’ll respond to a flood. Visit https://www.gov.uk/prepare-for-flooding/future-flooding and use the template to make a personal or community wide flood action plan.
· The community can find more information about funding flood risk management schemes at www.cumbriastrategicfloodpartnership.org
For media enquiries please contact the press office on 0800 917 9252
Out of hours please call 0800 028 1989 and ask for the duty press officer
Follow us on Twitter @EnvAgencynNW www.gov.uk/environment-agency
