AYNAM Road could be partially closed for up to eight months when the proposed Kendal flood defences are being constructed.

Concerns were raised by residents that serious traffic problems could result after the planning application submitted by the Environment Agency for the multi-million pound scheme details a series of temporary closures of the lane nearest to the River Kent in the area between Jenning’s Yard Footbridge and Netherfield Bridge.

However, a detailed traffic impact assessment within the plan has concluded that no significant problems would result from the lane closures and the plans rule out full closure of the road at any stage.

Despite this, opposition to the construction of the riverside walls in central Kendal has become more pronounced, some arguing the walls will ‘trap’ traffic fumes.

And business promotion group Kendal BID have detailed their own opposition to the walls by claiming they will “substantially and permanently blight the appearance of the riverside” which they say is one of the town’s biggest assets.

In addition Kate Willshaw, who has led a campaign to save the large number of trees threatened by the plans, has stepped up the group’s opposition for a range of reasons.

"The loss of street trees, the separation of people from the river, the increased air pollution along Aynam Road, the increase in flood risk to other properties in the town and the damage to the Conservation Area and heritage of Kendal is too high a price to pay for protection of such a small number of properties when there is another option available to protect those at risk of flooding," said Dr Willshaw.

But EA chiefs have insisted the scheme is vital to protect residents from a repeat of the devastation wrought by the December 2015 flood devastation, a view backed by several of the town’s flood action groups who insist residents are “living on fear” of a repeat of the devastation wrought by Storm Desmond.

And MP Tim Farron this week tabled a Parliamentary motion reaffirming his own support for the scheme.

“I’ve never been more proud of our area than when local people came together to help out our friends and neighbours whose homes and businesses were ruined either by Storm Desmond or by other storms,” said the Westmorland and Lonsdale MP.

“But those families have had to live with the fear of that same devastation happening again for the past three years now.

“For their sake it’s absolutely vital that we don’t delay this any further and get on with putting these defences in place to protect people whose lives were turned upside down.”

The proposals go before South Lakeland District Council’s planning committee when they meet at Kendal Town Hall at 9.30am on Thursday, March 21.