Construction started on the multi-million-pound Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme in 2021 and now, one year on, five areas in Kendal are now better protected from flooding.
The Environment Agency and Contactors, Volker Stevin have completed flood defence works at Dockray Hall, Romney Gardens, Natland Road, Clarks, and Helsington Mills.
Investment in Kendal’s new defences is part of a record-breaking funding commitment of £5.2billion for flood and coastal schemes to better protect 336,000 properties across the country.
The scheme has been designed with local residents, South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council, Kendal Town Council and United Utilities. When complete, it will better protect 1,400 homes and 1,100 business from flooding.
In total, 6km of defences will run through the town using a combination of walls finished in locally sourced stone, grass embankments and integrated sections of glass panels allowing for riverside views to be maintained.
Work has started and is progressing well at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Waterside Flats and along Busher Walk and Benson and Sandes area of the town. Construction will soon start at Sandaire House.
A number of natural flood management projects have been delivered in the upper catchment area as well as a programme of environmental enhancement and planting projects in the town. We have started to deliver our commitment to deliver over 4000 trees in the town and over 15,000 trees throughout the Kent catchment.
Stewart Mounsey, Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for Cumbria at the Environment Agency said:
“It is great news for the people of Kendal that five areas of the town are now better protected from flooding.
“Our thanks go to residents and businesses in Kendal for their ongoing patience while we have been carrying out this essential work.
“Sadly, despite our efforts, we cannot prevent all flooding. It’s vital everyone knows the threat to them and how to keep loved ones, property and possession safe. Go to the Gov.uk website or search ‘know my flood risk’ to sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings, receive information on the risk in your area and what to do in a flood: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk.”
Cllr Jonathan Cornthwaite said:
“As Chair of the Kendal Town Council Flood Relief Scheme Working group, I would like to endorse the work that the Environment Agency has done so far on the various reaches through Kendal and the ongoing improvement work being carried out.
“We look forward to continuing our interaction with the Environment Agency in the future, not forgetting the overriding time factor in this scheme is still the need to safeguard and protect those residents’ homes and businesses that were seriously affected in 2015 by Storm Desmond.”
Tim Farron, MP and Westmorland and Lonsdale said:
“The impacts of flooding on people’s livelihoods and their mental health here in Kendal has been devastating. That’s why it really is fantastic to see significant work being done right across our town to protect homes and businesses from being flooded.”
Click here to view the ‘Kendal One Year On’ page for more information.
More information on the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme, can be found on our dedicated page here.
