Introduction
The Kent catchment has a long history of flooding which was experienced most recently during Storm Desmond in 2015, when 2,276 properties and businesses were flooded in Kendal, Burneside, Staveley and Ings.
Since the flooding in 2015, the Environment Agency along with Cumbria County Council, South Lakeland District Council, United Utilities and other professional partners including the local community have investigated over 60 different options for how to best manage flood risk across the catchment. Each option was carefully considered for their technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental sustainability and social acceptability. The preferred options for the Kent catchment were presented in September 2018 which consisted of a combination of options that included raised linear walls and embankments, conveyance improvements and upstream storage. £76 million will be invested in this combination of measures that will aim to reduce the risk of flooding to a 1% chance in any one year to 1,480 homes and 1,100 local businesses which employ 6,105 people in the town of Kendal and villages of Burneside, Staveley and Ings. This investment will protect the local economy worth £277 million and will reduce flood damages by £880 million.
Taking a catchment based approach the Flood Risk Management Scheme will be delivered through the Kent catchment as follows:
Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme
- Focusing on Kendal, a combination of raised linear defences and improved conveyance will protect homes and businesses from Mintsfeet in the northern end of the town to Helsington Mills in the southern end of the town.
- For more information on Kendal click here.
Burneside, Staveley and Ings Flood Risk Management Scheme
- The Flood Risk Management Scheme will protect homes and businesses in the communities of Burneside, Staveley and Ings. The scheme will comprise of linear flood defences, flow routing improvements such as raised kerbs and localised land raising as well as improving the flow of water where the River Gowan joins the River Kent.
Upstream Storage, Improved Conveyance, and Natural Flood Management (NFM)
- Two flood storage areas are proposed on the River Kent, located upstream of Kendal in Kentrigg (volume around 1.7million m3) and upstream of Staveley in Kentmere (1.1 million m3). These two storage areas will limit and control the volume of flood water flowing through Kendal during a flood, providing increased resilience to bridges downstream and enabling more efficient drainage of surface water into the river.
- A 2km long upper catchment drain from Stock Beck East and North into the River Mint is proposed to reduce the risk of flooding from Stock Beck in the residential area of Sandylands in Kendal.
Upstream storage will provide the necessary storage capacity required to temporarily hold excess flood water during storm conditions. By maximising and formalising the existing floodplain in key upstream locations, it provides the ability to reduce the amount of flood water that flows through the downstream villages and Kendal town. These measures, in conjunction with works to improve conveyance of water and the installation of NFM measures to hold water and slow the flow, provide a suite of effective measures.
These are important elements to complete the scheme, each providing a number of flood risk benefits and playing a vital role in managing excess flows from the upper reaches of the catchment.
Key features of the Flood Risk Management Scheme
Click the link below to download a map of the catchment that shows the proposed Flood Risk Management Scheme:
The road map to delivery outlines the key stages we need to complete to develop the flood risk management scheme. ‘Hover’ over each ‘flag’ to find out more information on each stage.
Construction of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme started in February 2021 and will be complete in 2023. The key programme dates for the scheme are outlined in the table below.
| Milestone |
Start |
End |
| Linear Defences at Burneside and Kentrigg Flood Storage Area |
| Data gathering
Detailed design
Planning submission/approval
Construction |
Summer 2020
Summer 2023
Winter 2023
Winter February 2025 |
Spring 2022
Winter 2025
Spring 2024
Spring 2027 |
| Staveley, Ings and Kentmere Flood Storage Area |
| Data gathering
Detailed design
Planning submission/approval
Construction |
Summer 2020
Spring 2023
Autumn 2023
Winter 2025 |
Spring 2022
Summer 2024
Spring 2024
Summer 2027 |
| Stock Beck Catchment Drain |
| Data gathering
Detailed design
Planning submission/approval
Construction |
Summer 2021
Winter 2023
Summer 2023
Autumn 2024 |
Spring 2022
Autumn 2024
Winter 2024
Winter 2025 |
| Natural Flood Management Projects |
| Peatland restoration (NFM)
Staveley (NFM) |
TBC
April 2020 |
TBC
March 2021 |
(Dates last updated May 2022)
Information on this page has been provided by the Environment Agency and was correct at the time of upload. The Flood Hub is not responsible for any information held on this page. For any enquiries, see the Contact section of the page.
Upstream Measures
Upstream measures are an essential part of the Flood Risk Management Scheme and our aim to provide a 1 in 100 year standard of protection to homes and businesses in the Kent catchment. The upstream storage element aims to provide 3million m3 of flood storage which will enable all linear defences through Kendal, Burneside, Staveley and Ings to be built to a height that is acceptable for the local area and the community.
In addition to the flood storage, a catchment drain is proposed upstream on Stock Beck which will be designed to divert excess flows overland into the River Mint. This will improve the conveyance of Stock Beck through Sandylands and reduce the risk of Stock Beck surcharging.
Natural flood management, also known as NFM and slow the flow, does form part of the proposals and is complimentary to the proposed traditional engineered measures. NFM as a stand-alone option will not provide the level of flood protection needed for communities within the Kent catchment. This is because there are a number of limitations which include suitable land capacity, large scale land management changes and cost.
There are two locations identified in the Kent catchment that can provide the required storage needed in combination with linear defences which aim to provide a 1 in 100 year standard of protection; the equivalent of a 1% chance of flooding in any given year.
The proposed upstream storage areas will be formalised by building raised earth embankments and integrating a control structure. These measures will maximise the existing natural floodplain in storm conditions and hold excess water to reduce flooding to properties downstream. The land within the storage areas can be used as it is now during normal conditions and will only be utilised to hold excess flood water.
The earth embankments will be carefully landscaped to blend into the natural environment and the river will be kept in its natural state always having free flow to enable the continued unrestricted movement of fish and other river wildlife. The River Kent is ecologically very important and overall we want the scheme to enhance the environment for wildlife within the catchment.
Natural Flood Management
Whilst the Environment Agency cannot provide the flood risk benefits from delivering NFM alone, they are committed to identifying opportunities to deliver projects where they have landowner permissions and a delivery partner. The Environment Agency is already supporting a number of projects and working with other organisations and landowners to identify new opportunities for delivery in the future. There are currently four projects underway to improve the local environment, attenuate and slow the flow in the Kent catchment area.
The Environment Agency working with Lancaster University are undertaking a number of pilot projects which includes a pilot in the Kent catchment to evaluate the effectiveness of nature based flood mitigation. Watch the video to find out more.
To find out more about the catchment pilots and the project aims and objectives, click here.
The Environment Agency are committed to working with natural processes as far as possible to make catchments resilient to climate changes. Working in partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust as part of the Cumbria Peat Partnership, Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme has committed to delivering 50 hectares of peatland restoration in the uplands of the Kent catchment.
Peatlands are formed from bog moss called Sphagnum. Functioning blanket bogs provide a number of benefits including:
- Storing carbon
- Providing habitat for specialist species
- Providing clean drinking water
- Protection against flooding by slowing the flow
Most of the blanket bog in the Lake District has been damaged and is not able to function as it should. Restoring these peatlands by re-vegetating bare peat, blocking drainage channels and increasing the amount of Sphagnum in the uplands can have real flood alleviation benefits as sphagnum can hold up to 26 times its own weight in water!
Peatlands can help to prevent flooding by slowing down the speed by which water reaches rivers and streams in times of high rainfall. In periods of dry weather, peatlands also provide slow release of water to rivers and streams helping to prevent these from drying up.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency have a lot of experience in peatland restoration and 992 hectares of blanket bog have been restored across Cumbria over the last 3 years. The Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme has created an opportunity to expand this work in to the Kent catchment.
Work will take place in parallel with the main scheme and will include a monitoring programme to record the changes in wildlife and water flow that result from the project.
For more information on the peatland restoration project click here.
Multiple Benefits of Peatland Restoration
As well as providing protection against flooding, this peatland restoration scheme will also provide a number of other benefits for the environment.
Wildlife: There are many species of wildlife that are specialist to the acidic and nutrient poor qualities of peatlands. Cumbrian peatlands provide a great space for this wildlife to thrive.
Carbon Storage: Peatland is the UK’s largest carbon store. The peat restored in this scheme could store 164 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Water Quality: Peatlands are great at filtering rainwater and provide 70% of the UK’s drinking water.
The Environment Agency have worked with project leads South Cumbria Rivers Trust to delivering a three-phased project that aims to ‘test and trial’ new techniques to reduce flood risk for rural communities. This project includes:
- Several leaky timber structures
- Drainage works to store, divert and slow flows during storm events
For more information on this project, visit the South Cumbria Rivers Trust website here.
Culvert works
Leaky dam
Kerplunk attenuation feature
The Environment Agency are working with project leads Cumbria Wildlife Trust, along with United Utilities and local landowners, to reduce the risk of flooding to the community of Kendal using more natural solutions rather than traditional flood defence schemes. By creating a wetter environment and by planting a wide variety of trees the project will also greatly improve the range of habitat on the land, creating multiple benefits for the environment.
Working with farmers
One aspect of the project is working with the farming community to look at options to reduce the flow of water including sub-soiling which also improves water infiltration and soil quality, and re-routing flows away from pressure areas.
United Utilities land
The project is also working on United Utilities owned land with their support, and much of this work has been done by the Kendal conservation volunteers.
- Constructed large wood and earth bunds that slow down water in large storm events.
- Created swales that divert water to slow it from reaching the community downstream.
- Testing further methods to slow and temporarily store water, such as using rebuilt drystone walls designed to hold water back.
- 7,100 trees have been planted at Stock Beck so far, with over 500 more to be planted.
- Tree species mainly consist of Sessile Oak and Hazel, along with many Rowan, Aspen, Hawthorn and Cherry. Crab Apple, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn and Goat Willow trees are planted in the upper part of the reservoir.
There are permitted pathways through the land, and people are discouraged from walking on the structures as over time it could damage them and reduce their effectiveness.
- Partnership working with farmers
- Lower bund
- Upper bund
- Upper bund
- Construction of bunds
- Slowing the flow of water
- Construction of drystone wall
- Drystone wall
The Environment Agency have worked with project leads South Cumbria Rivers Trust and landowners South Lakeland District Council as part of the Defra funded Cumbria NFM programme to deliver an exciting urban NFM project in the heart of Kendal, South Cumbria.
The Kendal Town View Fields project site is being used to test how effective and viable NFM techniques are in urban areas to reduce peak flows during storms events. Some aspects of the project include:
- 90 metres of de-culverted watercourse
- A meandering stream running into two bunded wetland areas
- Creation of leaky dams and bunds using natural materials
- Planting of native tree species and wetland species
For more information on this project, visit the South Cumbria Rivers Trust website here.
Construction of new channel
Example “kerplunk” attenuation feature
Other Works
There are a number of other projects being delivered by other organisations that will provide some flood risk benefits. These projects can be varied in their nature and include environmental enhancement projects, improvements to infrastructure, conveyance and drainage.
The Environment Agency has made a commitment to undertake approximately 2km of river improvements within the Kent catchment. Further information to follow.
The Environment Agency worked closely with Cumbria County Council to construct a new replacement for Ford Bridge which opened in 2019. Cumbria County Council invested £1.5m in the project, as part of its Infrastructure Recovery Programme, to replace the bridge which was damaged by Storm Desmond in 2015, and subsequently closed in 2017 for public safety.
The bridge has been designed to be more resilient to future extreme weather events and will allow more water to flow under the bridge which will help reduce the overall impact of any future flood events.
For more information and to view photographs of the new bridge, visit the Cumbria County Council website here.
Cumbria County Council invested around £500,000 as part of its Infrastructure Recovery Programme into the Staveley Bridge replacement project which was completed in May 2017. Old Gowan Bridge was severely damaged by Storm Desmond in 2015 and the new structure was designed to increase resilience and increase the volume of water able to flow beneath it.
For more information, visit the Cumbria County Council website here.
What's Happening?
July 2021
Ground Investigation Works
The Environment Agency need to return to the ground investigation works location to undertake further testing in Burneside during August. There will be a temporary road closure on Wednesday 18th August. For further information download the document below.
May 2021
Ground Investigation Works
Starting on Monday 17th May, the Environment Agency will be undertaking ground investigation works in the two areas below. Download the leaflets for more information and maps highlighting access routes and work locations.
March 2021
Ground Investigation Works
- The ground investigation works started in Burneside in mid March and will continue until late spring 2021. The Environment Agency will be working in a number of locations which are identified on the map below, with each exploratory location taking between 1-3 days to complete. Further information can be found in the newsletter and news articles below.
Burneside ground investigation work locations
March 2021
Ground Investigation Works
- The ground investigation works are planned to start in Ings in late March and will be complete by mid-April. The Environment Agency will be working in a number of locations which are identified on the map below. Further information can be found in the newsletters and news article below.
Staveley ground investigation work locations
Ings ground investigation work locations
Stock Beck Culvert Survey Activities
The Environment Agency will be undertaking a number of culvert surveys (starting 26th July for several weeks) to determine the structural integrity and conveyance capacity of the Stock Beck culverts running through areas of the North East of Kendal. These surveys will identify where they need to carry out repair and restoration works and will supplement the information they already have on the culvert conditions from previous surveys we have carried out. To find out more about when and where the surveys will take place download the newsletter below.
Stock Beck Ground Investigation Works
As part of the Kent Catchment Flood Risk Management Scheme, the Environment Agency will be undertaking Ground Investigation (GI) works to inform their detailed design of the proposed Stock Beck Catchment Drain. The GI work in the fields around Stock Beck will commence from Monday 28th June 2021, until mid-September. These GI surveys are being undertaken by a specialist contractor, fully qualified and experienced in undertaking ground investigation works.
Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme
The Environment Agency is delivering a proposed Flood Risk Management Scheme to better protect homes and business from flooding in the Kent catchment, and improve the local environment and community amenities. Kendal is the first area to be delivered, followed by Burneside, Staveley, and Ings, and upstream measures including flood storage. In addition, Natural Flood Management measures are being integrated into the plans which aim to slow the flow of water and provide wider environmental benefits across the catchment.
For further information on the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme, click here.
