Work has begun to remove a temporary bridge and platform in Kendal put in place as part of the town’s flood management scheme.
The platform, which sits in the River Kent in the centre of Kendal, was installed to allow engineers to build the new riverside wall, glass panels and floodgate at Waterside.
Now that the construction work is finished, the Environment Agency is deconstructing and removing the platform and bridge, restoring the river to its natural state.
Work is expected to run until September, by which time the river should be fully restored to its natural state.
Alex Cowin, Environment Agency project manager for the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme, said: “The temporary platform was essential to allow us to build the flood defences at Waterside, and now that those defences are complete, we’re able to move into this next phase of restoring the river.
“We’re pleased to be at this milestone in the project.”
The deconstruction process will involve saw-cutting the concrete platform into manageable sections and removing the underlying stone, all of which will be taken offsite for reuse.
Marine bulk bags filled with gravel and silt curtains will be used throughout the work to prevent sediment from being disturbed and released into the river.
An independent environmental clerk of works will be on site to ensure all work meets environmental standards.
Once the platform has been removed, engineers will turn their attention to the temporary in-river bridge.
The bridge deck will be lifted out using a large crane, before the concrete abutments are carefully broken out in a controlled, dry working environment.
The bank will then be fully restored.
Noise and vibration levels will be monitored throughout, the Environment Agency said and the team will take all reasonable steps to manage dust and minimise disruption to local residents.
The new glass panels installed at Waterside in the centre of Kendal, are part of the multi-million-pound investment by the Government to improve flood protection to over 1,920 homes and more than 2,250 businesses in Kendal and Upper Kent area.
