[T]oday (Thursday 20 July 2017), Environment Agency teams are conducting an exercise in Kendal, to test the deployment of temporary flood barriers, which could be deployed prior to a flood to help protect people and properties in Kendal.
The Environment Agency is committed to reducing flood risk in communities across Cumbria, and this exercise will help test the deployment of flood barriers along Busher Walk, Kendal, which could protect Benson Green and Sandes Avenue from flooding.
Busher Walk is one of nine locations in the town where the Environment Agency are investigating the use of a temporary barrier. If all locations are found to be suitable, these barriers could help reduce the risk of flooding to 500 or more properties in total across Kendal.
Nationally, the Environment Agency now has a total of 40km (c.25 miles) of temporary barriers, and 250 pumps, stored around the country. The barriers can be transported quickly to locations when they are needed to reduce the impact of flooding to homes and businesses.
Environment Agency’s Catchment Engineer, Mike Harper, said: “This exercise will allow Environment Agency staff to practice and test our barrier deployment plan for Busher Walk, gaining valuable training experience as well as the opportunity to identify ways in which we can further refine our plans. This in turn will enable us to better respond during floods.
“Temporary barriers are just one of the ways we aim to better protect people and properties in Kendal until a longer term solution is put in place.
“It’s important to remember we can never fully protect against flooding, which is why we encourage people to go online at www.gov.uk, check their flood risk by entering their postcode, and find out what they can do to protect themselves and their property when flooding hits.”
The Environment Agency have been investigating and consulting with the public on the feasibility of various flood defence options for Kendal and the surrounding area.
A total of £24 million has been allocated to addressing flooding issues in Kendal, Burneside and Staveley.
The Environment Agency also tested the use of temporary flood barriers in the village of Braithwaite, Cumbria, in June, and in Ribchester, Lancashire, in March.
