A new £2.2m culvert in Threlkeld is now winter ready to help protect 35 properties and roads including the A66.
The culvert at at the Gategill Beck replaces one badly damaged during heavy rainfall in February 2019.
The new culvert is made up of 220m of concrete pipe and work took nine months to complete.
As well as improving flood protection, there have also been 170 new trees planted to replace the 34 trees which had to be removed for the work to be undertaken.
Stewart Mounsey Environment Agency area flood and coastal risk manager for Cumbria, said: “The community of Threlkeld has seen first-hand how devastating flooding can be. That’s why I’m so pleased to see the completion of these vital works ahead of winter.
“This new £2.2million investment will better protect home, businesses and key transport routes in Cumbria. Throughout the project we have worked closely with contractors, Cumbria County Council, residents and businesses and I would like to thank everyone for the vital role they played.
“The new culvert provides Threlkeld and surrounding areas with a substantially higher standard of flood protection as it not only helps protect properties from flood risk but also the A66 which links Cumbria to the M6.
“While we cannot guarantee that there will never be future flooding, we hope this scheme brings peace of mind to residents.”
Work to Gategill Beck culvert will be finalised in Jan 2022 when landscaping and tree planting is complete.
