Scaffolding that fell from the partially collapsed Old Courthouse building in Cockermouth into the river will be removed over the next two weeks.
The Environment Agency said its contractor will start work soon to remove the scaffolding, as there was a risk it could cause a blockage in the River Cocker and cause damage and flooding to nearby properties.
The scaffolding at the back of the building in the photo above fell into the river recently.
It added: “This [work] is challenging to do due the unsafe nature of the building.”
The Old Courthouse partially collapsed into the River Cocker on October 8 last year.
A legal wrangle has ensued with the owner, a London businessman, in dispute with the council over who is responsible for repair work.
The Environment Agency said: “Since the initial collapse of the Old Courthouse, we have continued to work with Cumberland Council to help ensure the risk of flooding to the community is managed as best as possible.
“The owner of the building is responsible for the condition of the building and not obstructing the river channel.
“The material that has collapsed into the river has resulted in a small increase in the risk of flooding.”
It added that it has used discretionary powers to carry out work to reduce flood risk – installing demountable defences in the doorways on the Main Street side of the building, to help prevent flow routes through the building resulting in flooding of properties.
It said: “We are also assessing whether to deploy further temporary defence measures to help protect against the risk of flooding to the community.
“The building remains vulnerable to further collapse, particularly with the likelihood of increased heavy rainfall events and storms during the autumn and winter period.
“We will continue to maintain our contingency measures and our field operations team remain ready to respond to help protect the community in Cockermouth from flooding in the event of any significant wet weather.”
The collapse forced the next-door bridge to close to traffic and pedestrians.
A temporary pedestrian walkway was installed almost immediately but Cocker Bridge did not reopen to traffic, with temporary traffic lights, until December.
A five-metre scaffold screening has been erected on the side of the bridge. The work was commissioned by Cumberland Council and was undertaken by its specialist highways engineers.
The Old Courthouse is one of the oldest buildings in the town and was bought by Samiul Ahmed, a London property consultant, at auction in July 2022 for £51,000.
The authority had to issue a legal notice earlier this year to Mr Ahmed so he would carry out urgent repair work, but he failed to do so, so the council was forced to step in.
It said it and other agencies, including Cumberland Council, Historic England, Natural England and the Environment Agency – continued to work together with the aim of protecting public safety.
It added that any proposed work is complicated because:
- The site is land locked, access to allow any works to be undertaken is challenging.
- The building is Grade II listed and any further works are required to be minimal to protect the fabric of the historic building.
- The River Cocker, adjacent to the site, is part of the River Derwent and Tributaries Site of Special Scientific Interest.
- The impact on waste flows and the protection of flood defences needs careful consideration.
- Any works need to minimise pollution from any debris.
- Requirements for archaeological investigation and subsequent detailed archaeological excavation if deemed necessary
