AN APPLICATION to undertake flood defence work at New Road Common in Kendal has been submitted to the planning inspectorate. 

The Environment Agency (EA) project would take an estimated six months and lead to closure of the common. 

The EA is proposing to build a 155m-long flood wall that would replace the metal fencing between the common and New Road. 

A 0.5m buffer strip would be installed between the carriageway and flood wall 'to provide separation between the wall and road', according to a supporting statement submitted in support of the application.

The maximum height of the flood wall would be around 1.65m, although the height would vary along its length. 

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The supporting statement says the visible parts of the wall would be 'clad sympathetically' to 'reflect the cultural heritage and conservation status of the area'.

As part of the flood wall construction, floodgates would be installed. 

"These floodgates have been designed to contain and prevent water spilling onto New Road and beyond during a flood event," says the supporting statement.

One would be located adjacent to Gooseholme Bridge, another at the pedestrian crossing at the junction of New Road and Blackhall Road – in the central area of New Road Common – and another at the southern end of the common, opposite the existing slipway into the River Kent. 

The floodgates would be constructed of steel and would be similar in height to the top of the flood wall.

The EA plans to install a 3m-wide lockable pedestrian gate near to the existing pedestrian crossing at Miller Bridge. 

The supporting statement says the gate would be closed during flood events to prevent, for safety reasons, access to New Road Common and the wet side of the defences. 

"New surface water drainage will be constructed at New Road Common to allow for the discharge of water into the River Kent, via an outfall flap to be installed on the dry side of the defences," it says.

The project would see the existing gravel-covered slipway replaced with stone pitching. 

The scheme would result in the turning of 137 sq metres of existing grassland into permanent hardstanding.

It would see the inside lane of New Road between ski equipment shop Anything Technical and Miller Bridge temporarily closed.

"The traffic lights and the existing pedestrian crossings on to New Road Common at the junction of New Road and Blackhall Road and at Miller Bridge at the junction of New Road and Kent Street will also be closed for the duration of the proposed scheme works," says the supporting statement.