Today marks one year since work began on Kendal’s £76 million flood defence scheme.
Five areas are now better protected dur to the work, the Environment Agency said.
The agency and contactors Volker Stevin have completed flood defence works at Dockray Hall, Romney Gardens, Natland Road, Clarks, and Helsington Mills.
The scheme was designed with input from local residents, South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council, Kendal Town Council and United Utilities.
When complete, it will better protect 1,400 homes and 1,100 business from flooding.
In total, 6km of defences will run through the town using a combination of walls finished in locally sourced stone, grass embankments and integrated sections of glass panels allowing for riverside views to be maintained.
Work has started at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Waterside Flats and along Busher Walk and Benson and Sandes area of the town. Construction will soon start at Sandaire House.
A number of natural flood management projects have been delivered in the upper catchment area as well as a programme of environmental enhancement and planting projects in the town.
The agency has also started to deliver on its commitment to for over 4,000 trees in the town and over 15,000 trees throughout the Kent catchment.
Stewart Mounsey, flood and coastal risk manager for Cumbria at the Environment Agency, said: “It is great news for the people of Kendal that five areas of the town are now better protected from flooding.
“Our thanks go to residents and businesses in Kendal for their ongoing patience while we have been carrying out this essential work.”
Jonathan Cornthwaite, of Kendal Town Council, said: “As chair of the Kendal Town Council Flood Relief Scheme Working group, I would like to endorse the work that the Environment Agency has done so far on the various reaches through Kendal and the ongoing improvement work being carried out.
“We look forward to continuing our interaction with the Environment Agency in the future, not forgetting the overriding time factor in this scheme is still the need to safeguard and protect those residents’ homes and businesses that were seriously affected in 2015 by Storm Desmond.”
Tim Farron, MP and Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: “The impacts of flooding on people’s livelihoods and their mental health here in Kendal has been devastating. That’s why it really is fantastic to see significant work being done right across our town to protect homes and businesses from being flooded.”
