First phase of Appleby flood scheme completed on time

The work, done by the Environment Agency and contractor VolkerStevin, focused on creating a new outfall at King George’s Field.

This will help pump water away from Doomgate, Holme Street, and Chapel Street in the town centre.

The project is part of a broader initiative to manage the effects of climate change, which include heavier rainfall and 'increased flood risks'.

When fully completed, the scheme will reduce the flood risk for 64 properties in Appleby.

The next phase of the project has already started and involves the construction of a new pumping station in Broad Close Car Park.

This station will include a control building and five large underground shafts.

The newly completed outfall, part of the Appleby Flood scheme (Image: Appleby Town Centre Flood Management Scheme) The pumping station will pump water from the Doomgate culvert into the River Eden.

This will help prevent the build-up of water in the pipe network, which currently leads to flooding around several areas, including Holme Street, Chapel Street, Doomgate, High Weind, Low Weind, and Bridge Street.

However, due to ongoing construction work in Broad Close Car Park, parking spaces will be partially closed for public safety.

A free temporary car park is set to open in December on the site of the former Edenside Care Home.

The demolition of the former care home has been completed, and the site's owners, Oaklea Trust, are working with the Environment Agency to provide temporary parking for Appleby residents.

Environment Agency project manager, Mike Harper, said: "We are grateful to residents, business owners and visitors for their patience, as we had to partially close the Broad Close car park before the temporary car park was in place.

"However, this has ensured we have been able to complete this part of the work on time and within the in-river working period of July-to-September.

"The foundations for the new pumping station building are now in place, and we will now begin the above ground construction.

"Over the period of the new pumping station’s lifespan, we estimate this scheme will save in the region of £21 million in damages caused by flooding, as well as reducing the distress and disruption experienced by business owners and residents who could experience future flooding."

The toilets at Broad Close Car Park will remain open throughout the construction works.

The riverside path is also due to reopen to the public in the coming weeks, now that the outfall has been completed.