Its Storm season!, CFAG update

CFLAG have at last been able to meet with the County Council Highways section regarding the two most important bridges which affect the flooding of the City.  The Council are investigating the following matters and their responses will either be reassuring or setting the agenda of how we get the flood risk authorities and government to urgently include solutions within their plans.

Botcherby Bridge

·         In regard to the AiP (approval in principle) check by the authority on what the flood design level of protection used by the Environment Agency was is the parapet strengthening works to see if this is fit for current purpose?

·         The Councils view of the effects of the planned further raising the level of flood defence against the parapet (or indeed above it) which appears to have no integral reinforcement only one light reinforcement mesh recently retrospectively applied as part of the post 2005 works considering much of the mortar has been washed out during Desmond (was this upgraded/reviewed following 2015 prior to application?) reference residual risk classification of risk to life being high.

·         Base construction type – concrete box base?  Potential for river bed gravel accumulation to be regularly cleared in order to maintain a maximum bridge aperture for the river. 

·         With the design level flood peak being potentially 500mm higher than Desmond (as the 2million cu mx that flooded the Warwick Rd area would still be in the river Petteril) is there risk of the structure floating if anchorage was not part of its original construction - either with flood levels being equal on either side or with significant differential in a Petteril biased flood event?  Cross section in these extreme conditions indicates the bridge would be displacing a considerable volume of water below the peak level, ie a semi-submerged structure as we know that concrete ships do float!

Eden Bridge

·         What are the risks involved to the bridge with a 500mm higher flood peak to Desmond given that it is agreed there was a significant differential in levels during Desmond clearly confirming the bridge was putting a break on conveyance velocity and backing up?

·         If the current bridge does not have sufficient conveyance capacity for a Desmond + 500mmm flood peak how are the volumes to be mitigated?  Vis a vie the point made in our ”Tale of Two Bridges” presentation where the 1812 conveyance design provided 10 arches with 5 of these now blocked off and subsumed under Hardwicke Circus, the Civic Centre and other post Victorian development.

·         It is understood that the original stone bridge (down stream side), whilst being assessed of dense stone construction has no binding concrete saddle, content or significant ties to the 1930’s bridge widening.  What is the potential for afflux to de-stabilise the stone arches and rip the older bridge away downstream?

We look forward to returning with responses to the above.

latest update on the dry weather in the North West of England, which I hope you find useful! no irony intended !

Click the link for the full story....



Dry Weather Update, EA latest update on the dry weather in the North West of England,

Carlisle EA action, or inaction.

We have been informed by the EA that ground investigations are to commence next week on Melbourne Park which includes defence embankment works modification,extension and investigation over on the Botcherby and Metal Box side. No further detail at this time.

Separate issues reported to the EA include B&Q shopping trolleys in the river at London Road,Harraby Bridge, and substantial felled tree logs left on the bank and in the river which can cause
significant damage once on the move.

Environment Agency - Cumbria Site Investigations Circular

Flood Risk Management Site Investigations Commence

The next steps in delivering new flood schemes in Cumbria will be taken this week as the Environment Agency starts work on site investigation works at locations across the county.

Following the devastating floods in Cumbria in 2015 the Environment Agency and partners have been working on a programme to increase the flood resilience of communities and businesses across the county.   

Earlier this year the Environment Agency developed and shared with a number of communities a short list of flood risk management scheme options, which are currently being refined further.

In order to develop design proposals, the Environment Agency needs to better understand the ground conditions. To do this, site investigation works and further surveys will be undertaken at various locations where potential flood risk management schemes have been identified. 

It is anticipated that the site works for these investigations will take place from August until December 2018, and landowners will be contacted in advance about the impact of the works.  

Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager for Cumbria, Stewart Mounsey, said:

“It’s great to see this phase of work beginning to manage the future flood risk for local communities. We hope that residents will bear with us while work is undertaken. It is important these investigations take place so that we can fully understand the local conditions and keep the programme moving.”

Read more here.... 

Water Water , not quite everywhere

Hose pipe ban, or no hose pipe ban. Not yet, but is water still being used/wasted/miss managed.

EA, Water Hose pipe

Floods Health and Well being Conference promoted by Mind in West Cumbria

20-July-2018 . 9.30 am 3.30 pm Workington.

Professor Phil Scraton is the principal speaker,
who was instrumental in investigating the Hillsborough disaster over a very
 long period. 

Faith Cole must be thanked for all her efforts in getting this event arranged - a very big task
with a lot of perseverance.

Radar Installation - Pilot Project situated on the West Cumbrian Coast

CRAGG Report A special Case for Cumbria

A Need for a New Flood Risk Management Perspective
April 2018
CRAGG - Cumbria River Authority Governance Group

Full report on this link

Community Trust - A presentation

Blind faith, cynical scepticism or critical friendship?

A presentation

By John Kelsall

Chair Cumbria River Authorities Governance Group (CRAGG)

Chair Carlisle Flood Action Group

Board Member Cumbria Strategic Flood Partnership

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1V62WnnDO_EyixiYXicf-jTRQ15Ls2taN

Open Letter to Carlisle City Council- Southern Flood Plain

Open Letter to Carlisle City Council

It is evident that although we have engaged in discussion with Senior Council Members and Officers about the flood risk posed by the Eden Bridge and developments on the southern flood plain our warnings appear to have fallen upon deaf ears.

The Carlisle Corporation deliberately occupied the flood plain for development from the mid 19th Century by first tipping-on then building- on the ox bow lake of the Eden’s south channel. This area includes much of The Sands Centre, Civic Centre, Corporation Road, Magistrates Courts, Police Station, Fire Station, Hardwicke Circus and the Malt Shovel (Ristorante Adriano) as well as a number of commercial developments the construction of which has compounded this serious error affecting the conveyance of the Eden River in flood in almost every decade since. When will the lessons of history and engineering advice be heeded?

Recent presentations to the Council Leader, the Deputy Chief Executive and the Scrutiny Committee, amongst others, have clearly explained that the designer of the A7 Eden Bridge, Sir Robert Smirke, did not only design the bridge with 5 fully open arches but also a further 5 arches of similar size to a causeway to convey the River Eden in flood when it reverts to a preferred straight line flow characteristic. It is our belief that the current bridge, on its own, is insufficient even in fully open section to convey the river quickly enough to prevent it backing up the flow and diverting water across Hardwicke Circus etc. which is its chosen route. It is clear, therefore, that the flood defences in this area are incorrectly positioned forcing the Eden into a dangerous “pinch-point”. The damming effect this creates not only spills over and around the bridge locally, causing considerable disruption, but also has the effect of raising the river peak level which compromises further the emergence of the River Petteril which then has a knock-on effect at Botcherby Bridge which becomes less effective at reducing levels at Melbourne Park.

In our on-going dialogue with the Environment Agency we have questioned the computer modelling at the bridge which suggested there was only a 0.5m differential between upstream and downstream sides at flood peak either side of the Eden Bridge when the Desmond flood was at its height. Eye witness testimony and photographic evidence suggest this to be no less than 1.5m and possibly much more. The EA’s consultants are yet to report back upon re-investigation of this evidence so it is foolhardy in the extreme to undertake any physical concept design commitments, even in draft, of an expansion to the Sands Centre until design flow rates and levels can be established with suitable additional contingency and firm design criteria. Indeed management of the flood risk to the City may determine that the functions currently served by the Sands Centre and surrounding buildings may require re- location in any event.
We fear that the news, as recently reported in the media, of the Council voting to push ahead with this scheme without a clear caveat to this issue is the potential birth of yet another public act of folly that will considerably increase the risk to the City of yet more major flooding. We urge the Council to step back from the brink of what could be a very expensive and grave error of aspiration with far reaching consequences.
Southern
John Kelsall
Chair
Carlisle flood Action Group

Friday Friday 26th January from 2pm to 7pm

EA Community Meeting -' Project Options for Carlisle' - Friday 26th January from 2pm to 7pm - Sunset Lounge, Carlisle United Brunton Park [Deep End] it would be wouldn't it :)

The Government Environment Plan for next 25 years p136/7 announces A Cumbria Pioneer project [One of Four in England], testing of new governance models,as an example.

The other three Pioneers are North Devon Landscape , Greater Manchester Urban, and a Marine Pioneer.

Cumbria Strategic Floods Partnership and how they provide an overview of flood risk management across the County;

Cumbria Strategic Floods Partnership and how they provide an overview of flood risk management across the County; 

Carlisle Newsletter Jan 18

Eden Catchment Flood Group-

Hi to All Eden Catchment Flood Group Representatives

I attach a brief resume of what has been happening, a list of 'Options' recently seen and initially discussed by the CMG [On the Eden Rivers Trust web site] and a further copy of the Eden Community Water Flow Map.

Please note an Environment Agency Newsletter will be winging its way to communities shortly informing of Options Meetings to be held with communities to discuss their options.

Therefore it is most important to check your options are up to date with what is/has been happening on your patch so the EA has your latest information to hand.

All Best Wishes for Xmas and 2018

Richard Milne

Community Representative - Eden Catchment CMG

Eden Catchment Management

Eden Management Report Progress