Rain stops play, Don't panic,

         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.

·         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

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. 

--- ENDS --- 

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

Botcherby Botched bridge

All Our Readers

Botcherby Bridge 'Smoothing' works showing diversion of the river under 
one arch.

The Environment Agency is hell-bent on 'No Dredging'. It appears OK for 
extensive dredging down south, and also on the River Tyne at Haydon 
Bridge.
In the interests of maximising the efficiency of this obstructive bridge 
why not clear the channel by dredging for maximum conveyance.

At the recent kick-off of the Carlisle Phase 1 Melbourne Park raising 
and extending the flood embankment, the issue of fallen trees in the 
river channel was pointed out in the presence Sir John Bevan of the 
Environment Agency - any trees washed down to the Botcherby  Bridge will 
potentially negate all the raising of the flood defences, and we will 
inevitably be flooded once  again .

Many members of the public have reported this problem to me, of fallen 
trees in the
   river channel and in turn I have reported it to the EA numerous times 
with no positive response.

Whoever is responsible, be it the Carlisle City Council as 'Riparian 
Owner', the Environment Agency from a maintenance perspective please let 
us have some action.

A recent report regarding the River Petteril from downstream of 
Botcherby Bridge, a member of
  the general public was informed whilst removing various shopping 
trolley and other such detritus that they could be prosecuted for going 
into the river bed.
Everybody wants to be in charge and nobody is doing anything about it.
Please let us have some visible action

Richard Milne
Carlisle Flood Action Group

concerns and suggestions – a phase 1 recap

CARLISLE FLOOD ALLEVIATION PHASE 1 WORK STARTS – 31ST July 2019 

Richard Milne and I were invited to the works commencement launch at Melbourne Park for the Phase 1 flood alleviation project representing Carlisle Flood Action Group (CFLAG). The project is relatively straightforward as it raises the existing flood banks around Melbourne Park by between 0.5m and 1.0m and, crucially, extends the western defence further south to protect from the outflanking and over-spilling of the Petteril that occurred at this point during the Desmond event. 

CFLAG’s view is that this is the correct place to be working first to ‘plug the defensive hole’ in the City but it is probably a project that could have started 2 years ago as the risks downstream and upstream do not appear particularly complex. Raising defences can never be the best solution to flooding problems because any breech, error or lack of future maintenance can bring unexpected devastation – far better to manage river flows within acceptable limits via catchment wide projects and annual maintenance. Botcherby Bridge and lack of general gravel and silt removal remain on our agenda as issues of concern. This project this therefore seen as a positive first step only. 

The event was hosted by Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, and also attended by John Stevenson MP with senior members and officials from the City and County Councils. 

Whilst the event included a tour of the site and an explanation of the works involved as well as a media photo call it also provided an opportunity to raise outstanding concerns. During the event Richard and I were able to convey the following concerns and suggestions – 

· CFLAG – The area between the defences (the ‘wet’ area) are becoming quite wooded and overgrown. Surely this will add roughness in early flood and slow optimum flow through Botcherby Bridge when waters can more readily enter the Eden. 

· EA(1) – The scheme involves the removal of 5 trees which will be replaced at a 5:1 ratio but, thankfully, these were stated as being planted on the dry side of the defences. 

· EA(2) – The EA are not responsible for the parks maintenance and river bank de-vegetation. This would be the riparian owners – the City Council. 

· It is essential that the river is kept free of flotsam, particularly trees and logs that could obstruct the bridge openings. Prior advice that logs lying in the direction of flow did not constitute a risk was clearly not acceptable as the idea of their remaining in such an alignment in a flood would be clearly folly. 

· EA(1) – All such items would be cleared during the scheme. 

· Riparian park managers (Carlisle City Council) are to be consulted re future best maintenance practices. 

· CC Chief Exec – Has CFLAG raised this issue with the City previously. 

· CFLAG – yes many times, the “Desmond-12 months on” report and at the Environment Scrutiny Committee more than a year ago. 

· CFLAG – A traffic light advisory system explaining property level flood risk potential as part of property sale particulars (like current energy ratings) could target appropriate property protection measure and save wasted expenditure and improve resident safety (residents are more likely to stay in a property if they think they have protected it – this is not possible in deep flood risk like in Carlisle). This could save inappropriate losses in equity value for properties at low risk and reassure insurers. 

· Sir J. – An interesting proposal worthy of consideration. 

· CFLAG – The EA have advised that gravels would be removed to encourage water conveyance under Botcherby Bridge. We wanted to know what happened to the maintenance catch pits that were previously proposed as part of this scheme. 

· EA – more information and detail will be forthcoming. 

· CFLAG – The EA have endorsed advice from engineers Mot McDonnell that the head of water created by storage in Melbourne Park will force more water under the bridge and be self-cleansing during a flood. We take engineering advice that this would occur however that same advice suggests material moved and in suspension in this way will be deposited once the energy in the water is released ie just after the bridge and this will then restrict the downstream channel north of Botcherby Bridge and compromise oncoming volumes. 

· EA – more information and detail will be forthcoming. 

· CFLAG - Where the 17.5m datum storage level sits has yet to be shown to us in respect of where this is positioned at the bridge. Request still outstanding with EA. 

John Kelsall 

Chair – Carlisle Flood Action Group

Carlisle Phase One, Flood Risk? Management

Our thoughts.....
“Carlisle Flood Action Group welcomes this project because it is aimed at the source of the most extensive area of flooding in the City during Storm Desmond. The defence levels in this area were not comprehensive enough following the works undertaken after the 2005 flood such that the River Petteril outflanked and overtopped into the defended areas creating flood damage even greater than 2005. As a group we much prefer to see catchment-wide river management and non-permeable development kept away from the flood plain to save the need to increase defence walls and banks because we are very conscious that such engineering requires regular maintenance to maintain, particularly difficult financially after a benign period between flood events, and if they fail the degree of devastation increases. For example improved river conveyance through the pinch point at Botcherby Bridge and beyond to the Eden has to be a long term goal. In this context it is hoped that the informal storage area of Milbourne Park will become less critical in the future. The current project is therefore seen as a good ‘start’ to achieving these goals but by no means an end”.

13-6-19 Carlisle Utd Sunset Suite, Q&A United Utilities

Warwick Road Bridge Works, 

How will it affect you, and flooding, ask your questions, and will the EA do anything ?

United Utilities Water Limited PO Box 453

Warrington

WA55 1SE

We have almost completed our first section of work for one of our large water pipes which runs from Duranhill Road, along Warwick Road and up Victoria Place. Once this is completed we will start work on our second large water pipe which runs from Montgomery Way, along Warwick Road towards Broad Street.

Come along, meet the team and find out more about our work

We would like to invite you to our public exhibition so we can tell you more about our progress so far, and provide further information about the next stages of our work.

Carlisle United Football Club

Sunset Suite, Brunton Park

Carlisle United Football Club

CARLISLE FLOOD ACTION GROUP Representations in respect of Carlisle Phase 1 FRM Scheme

 The Group‟s purpose is to find out how the flooding occurred, particularly in the context of a £38m spend to mitigate river flooding following the similar disaster in 2005 and to establish what should be done to prevent or reduce the severity of future occurrences.

 1.2 Members of the Group have met extensively with representatives of the Environment Agency (EA), Lead Local Flood Authority (Cumbria County Council) and are aligned with similar groups across the county particularly through the Cumbria Rivers Authority Governance Group (CRAGG). Members have attended Westminster and given evidence to the EFRA Select Committee and presented at the EA‟s annual Flood and Coast Conference in Telford. In addition the Group have a representation on the Cumbria Strategic Flood Partnership (CSFP) board conceived by Rory Stewart when Floods Minister and also on the Eden Catchment Management Group. Whilst the members of CFLAG would readily acknowledge their individual education and experience may not have been directed to careers in hydrology or river management, non-the-less the experience gained over the last 3 years of investigation, particularly of local conditions, is now extensive and should be accorded appropriate weight. 1.3 The CFLAG have been instrumental in promoting the concept of Flood Risk Management (FRM) being a catchment wide strategic undertaking which is now the EA‟s stated means of deploying FRM rather than singular reliance on individual projects at problem points. This concept is not easily considered within the planning system. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) focuses upon development sites and published local

Full report press here. 

Carlisle - preferred options - Flood

 23^rd Jan at Brunton Park (new sponsors Lounge).

Public session 15.00 – 17.00

Dress code relaxed, Wellies optional . 

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.