Cumbria County Council have completed works to install a new flood wall and flood gates alongside an improved local drainage system at Calgarth View, Troutbeck Bridge.
The new infrastructure will better protect the local community which has been devastated by surface water flooding in recent years. The £180,000 project was funded by the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) for the North West and Cumbria County Council, with a contribution from the Calgarth View Flood Action Group. The project was delivered by Story Contracting.
Cumbria County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) for Cumbria and is responsible for the management of surface water flood risk. Troutbeck Bridge has a history of flooding, with the five properties known as ‘Calgarth View’ considered at ‘Very Significant’ flood risk. The present day onset of flooding is considered to be a ‘1 in 5 year’ event.
Calgarth View includes a row of terraced cottages adjacent to the A591. The properties are located in a low lying position where surface water run-off from the A591, and overland flows from watercourses, converge. As such, relatively low rainfall events can result in significant floods depths (up to 60cm observed) and very fast water velocities.
The project is part of a wider programme of works to help protect Cumbrian communities from surface water or combined flooding issues throughout the county.
Cllr Ben Berry, Cumbria County Council’s Local Member for Windermere, said: “I am delighted to see this important work completed which will make properties on Calgarth View safer and more resilient to the devastating effects of flooding. This has been a good example of partnership working between the council, local community and contractors and I’d like to extend my thanks to all involved.”
Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This project is part of a wider scheme to improve flood resilience and protect communities across the county. We would like to thank all of the residents, visitors and local businesses, particularly those using the A591 for their patience during the project which has delivered a valuable line of defence for the local community.”
Janet Chapman, Chair of the Local Flood Action group, said: “After experiencing repeated flooding events over the last fifty years, the residents are pleased that at last some work has been completed that will hopefully mitigate some of the flooding in the future. The fact that this work has been carried out demonstrates to them that at last someone has listened and someone cares.”
