Foreword
Carlisle flooded badly in 2005 (1600 properties) and December 2015 when Storm “Desmond” caused the inundation of nearly 2,200 properties in the City some to a depth of 2m. – a previously unrecorded depth.The Carlisle Flood Action Group (C-FLAG) was formed in January 2016 following a community meeting called by inaugural Chair Dr Stephen Gibbs on 11 December 2015, principally involving residents evacuated to the Crown and Mitre Hotel, when the raw hurt and frustrations of the represented community was discussed with local politicians. The meeting wanted to know what happened, why it happened, what was the expectation and implications of yet another event and what could be done to prevent it happening again (not least because £38m had only recently been spent on new flood defences to provide 1 in 100 year minimum protection to the affected areas).
The spirited and impassioned chairmanship of Dr Gibbs lit a spark in the gathering who were determined that the answers to these fundamental questions must be found and that blind trust in the Environment Agency, local authorities, the water industry and politicians could not be left to follow the same pattern of events seen after the 2005 flood. C-FLAG was, therefore, formed with a mandate, approved following two further public meetings in the Ballroom of the Crown and Mitre each attended by an estimated 600 residents and business owners, to seek out relevant knowledge and press for solutions guided by that knowledge to further develop visions for the future.
The group has endeavoured to work with politicians and government agencies where possible but in a non-political capacity – C-FLAG acts in the role of a „critical friend‟ but always emphasising the importance and seriousness of the endeavour and holding those involved to account for their decisions and actions. Testimony from residents has also been invaluable in evidence gathering particularly from those old enough to remember river management practices in the 1950‟s and 60‟s.
This report is the latest to be issued by C-FLAG and brings together an understanding of the processes involved resulting in the flooding of the City and is required to inform the group‟s membership – the flooded community – as well as all communities within the wider Eden catchment with whom Carlisle is inextricably linked. More importantly, it sets out where C-FLAG agrees with the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) Report HC115 of 2nd November 2016 and urges the Secretary of State and Government to take due regard of the views expressed within the EFRA report when it is debated in January 2017 in order to effect real change and a more secure future.
I thank all the C-FLAG Committee for their continued gift of time, expertise and commitment, all residents who have provided invaluable first hand as well as historical evidence and information, and the assistance provided by the agencies that have worked with us.
John L Kelsall
B.Arch, Dip.Arch, MA, ARB, RIBA, MRTPI, FRSA
Chair - Carlisle Flood Action Group
This report is the latest to be issued by C-FLAG and brings together an understanding of the processes involved resulting in the flooding of the City and is required to inform the group‟s membership – the flooded community – as well as all communities within the wider Eden catchment with whom Carlisle is inextricably linked. More importantly, it sets out where C-FLAG agrees with the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) Report HC115 of 2nd November 2016 and urges the Secretary of State and Government to take due regard of the views expressed within the EFRA report when it is debated in January 2017 in order to effect real change and a more secure future.
I thank all the C-FLAG Committee for their continued gift of time, expertise and commitment, all residents who have provided invaluable first hand as well as historical evidence and information, and the assistance provided by the agencies that have worked with us.
John L Kelsall
B.Arch, Dip.Arch, MA, ARB, RIBA, MRTPI, FRSA
Chair - Carlisle Flood Action Group
