An excavator has been busy in the River Greta at Keswick carrying out work to protect the foundations of two properties across from Fitz Park.
It has been moving boulders and gravel to put the main depth of the river into the middle of the water course and away from the walls of The Makers Mill and a domestic property next door.
Luke Harding, who runs The Makers Mill with his partner Sophie Wilson, said that they have had to get special permits from the Environment Agency and Natural England to carry out the work which is costing thousands of pounds.
“It is pre-emptive work to bring the flow of the river into the middle rather than against our walls,” said Mr Harding. “There will also be some increased underpinning
“It’s not going to stop flooding. It’s a belt and braces solution to protect the river walls from any problems. It’s more structural.”
The work was carried out by Ian Cannon Groundworks Services from Penrith. The works have to be done in the summer months when rainfall is not overwhelming.
Meanwhile, people in the North Lakes are being invited to join a committee that will give them a say on the direction of flood prevention in Cumbria.
The Environment Agency (EA) is looking for new members to join the North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC). The RFCC is aiming for a North West ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change.
It has a key role in helping to implement the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy. The EA is currently looking for people with expertise in spatial development and planning; climate-resilient public spaces and buildings; economics (including valuing environmental and wider society benefits); and the water industry.
Adrian Lythgo, chairman of the North West RFCC, said: “We all know how seriously floods affect people and communities. We have to be the best we can be at understanding risk so that in turn we can manage it across organisations.
“Membership of the RFCC is one way citizens in the region can help us – through their expertise or ability to speak broadly for communities at risk of flooding.”
RFCCs are committees set up by the government to promote an understanding of flood risk and to agree local priorities, to raise a local levy, and to approve programmes of work associated with managing the risk of flooding and coastal erosion. From 2021 to 2026, the government is investing £5.2 billion in flood and coastal erosion risk management schemes.
An application pack is available from [email protected] or by calling 020302 50946.
They also support the Environment Agency and local authorities in working with communities, businesses and others to raise funding for natural flood risk management measures, flood and coastal erosion risk management schemes.
Over the six-year period from 2021 to 2026, the government is investing £5.2 billion in flood and coastal erosion risk management schemes. Additional funding from partners is also vital to enable as many communities as possible to be more resilient to climate change.
Committee members do not receive a salary but expenses are paid. RFCCs meet four times a year with some additional work between official meetings to help progress the RFCC’s priorities.
The deadline for applications is August 16, with interviews taking place in early September.
