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.
Kendal 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 then, the Environment Agency along with Westmorland and Furness Council (formerly Cumbria County Council and South Lakeland District Council), United Utilities and other professional partners including the local community identified over 60 different options to address the complex flood issues that affect the catchment. Each option was considered for their technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental sustainability and social acceptability. The preferred option was presented in September 2018.
The preferred option takes a catchment based approach and includes a combination of linear defences, improved pumping and conveyance, upstream storage, complimentary natural flood management interventions and wider environmental improvements. Multi-million pounds worth of construction will better protect 1,480 homes and 1,151 business in Kendal, Burneside, Staveley and Ings. For information on Burneside, Staveley and Ings and upstream measures, click here.
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.
For more information on Burneside, Staveley and Ings, and Upstream Measures, click here.