The Flood Hub

The Environment Agency’s vision for the Kendal and Upper Kent Catchment Flood Risk Management Scheme (FRMS) includes the River’s Kent, Gowan, Sprint, and Mint.  In time, this will become part of a broader catchment strategy which is being delivered by the Environment Agency outside of the Flood Risk Management Scheme. To achieve the scheme vision, it is vital that the Environment Agency work with others to take a collaborative approach to flood risk management and environmental improvements.  This will ensure the Environment Agency and partners invest in the right areas, with the right measures to obtain the maximum benefits that create a long lasting, climate ready, sustainable future. Hover over each piece of the ‘jigsaw’ to find out more information on the flood scheme vision.

Click here to download a copy of the interactive image above.

Taking a catchment based approach, the Flood Risk Management Scheme will be delivered throughout 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.
• A catchment drain diverting flows from Stock Beck East and North tributaries into the River Mint is proposed to reduce the risk of flooding from Stock Beck in the residential areas of Kendal.
• 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.

Upstream Storage, Improved Conveyance, and Natural Flood Management (NFM)

• Flood storage is a proposal within the Upper Kent catchment, located upstream of Kendal. The role of flood storage areas are an important element of the overall scheme and will be designed to limit and control the volume of flood water flowing through Kendal, Burneside, Staveley and Ings during a flood.
• An added benefit of storage is the increased resilience it provides to bridges and other infrastructure downstream which includes more efficient drainage of surface water into the river.

The proposed 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, whilst providing opportunities to enhance the biodiversity of the area.  All of these elements play a vital role in managing excess flows from the upper reaches of the catchment and improving the environmental sustainability of the riverine environment.

Key features of the Flood Risk Management Scheme

Click the link below to download a map that shows the watershed areas of the Kent, Gowan, Mint and Sprint, within the Kent catchment, and the proposed Flood Risk Management Scheme:

• Catchment map showing communities to be better protected

Click image to view a larger version.

The Environment Agency’s key tests

The suitability of each potential flood risk measure is assessed in more detail against the Environment Agencies key tests.  Throughout this process multi-criteria analysis is used to evaluate potential risks, opportunities and their likely impact. On completion of the analysis each option is either discounted or progresses to the next stage in the design process.

• Technical feasibility – each option is assessed to ensure it is technically achievable, constructable, robust and reliable. This takes into consideration buildability, ongoing maintenance, and health and safety.
• Environmental sustainability – potential environmental impact of each option on the natural environment is assessed, together with the appropriateness of any specific land use designations and whether they align with the Environment Agency’s strategic environmental goals.
• Economic viability – takes into consideration ongoing maintenance, whether the benefits would outweigh the cost, and if the cost is within the scheme’s budget. Each option is also analysed to determine any other non-financial benefits they offer to the local community and environment.
• Social acceptability – consideration is given to landowner constraints, location within designated sites, proximity to recreational areas or public rights of way (PROW), and overall social acceptability. As the scheme progresses, we consult the community and our stakeholders on our developing proposals. We then consider and incorporate their feedback as appropriate.
• Health and safety – each option is reviewed to check that it can be designed, constructed and maintained safely. Identification of risks and opportunities to the wider community are also assessed and used to inform the design.

This process will ensure we design a scheme that provides a better standard of protection, delivered in the right places, at the time.

The road map to delivery outlines the key stages we need to complete the flood risk management scheme. Click this link to find out more information on each stage.

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.

Click here to return to the Upper Kent Homepage