The Environment Agency has secured planning permission for its £6.1 million Keswick flood risk management scheme to protect 180 homes and businesses at risk of flooding from the River Greta.
Construction of the £6.1million scheme will begin today, following planning approval which was granted by the Lake District National Park Authority on 4 May 2011.
The works - being carried out by Volker Stevin on behalf of the Environment Agency - are likely to take up to 15 months to complete and include the raising of flood walls and embankments along the River Greta through Keswick.
As part of the scheme, the wall along High Hill will be raised using a combination of Lakeland stone and glass panels – protecting views of the river, whilst reducing flood risk.
The Environment Agency will also be working on homes and businesses on Greta Side to fit properties with resistance measures such as waterproofing and non-return valves, to reduce flood risk in this area of the town.
Mike Harper, Environment Agency Project Manager, said:
“We have worked hard to develop this scheme with the help of the local community and now that we’ve been granted planning permission we are starting construction work immediately, which is great news for Keswick. We’re going to begin by diverting the culvert which carries Crosthwaite Beck into the River Greta on the corner of Crosthwaite Road/Lower Fitz Park.”
Preliminary works, including tree clearance and site preparation began in February 2011 following funding approval for the scheme.
Graham Thompson, Chairman of Keswick Flood Action Group, said:
This is fantastic news for Keswick. Improved defences will be in place by Autumn 2012, giving properties at risk a much greater level of protection. Keswick Flood Action Group has fought hard for this since the flooding in 2005 and we are delighted that we’ve cleared the final hurdle and construction can start.”
Keswick has a history of flooding, the most recent being in November 2009, when prolonged and heavy rainfall led to severe flooding affecting more than 1800 homes and businesses across Cumbria, including approximately 140 properties in Keswick.
Emergency works began soon after the 2009 floods to strengthen existing flood defences and maintain levels of protection that existed before the flooding.
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