Carlisle Case Study: How can the risk of future floods be reduced?
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Carlisle's existing flood defences were built after flooding in 1968, which affected more than 400 properties. This was a 75 year (1.33%) average probability event, considerably smaller than in 2005. In the January 2005 floods the old flood defences were over-topped, resulting in a sudden, dangerous water rise.
Following these floods the Environment Agency produced a flood management plan to compare the different options. This showed that rebuilding the flood defences in Carlisle was the most cost-effective way to reduce the flood hazard.
The Environment Agency produced plans for a £12 million project to improve defences along the Petteril and Eden east of Carlisle. Work began in May 2007 and finished in spring 2008. Embankments along the two rivers were re-built to make them higher and wider, new flood walls were built, as well as drain-down sluices so that water trapped behind the defences would be able to drain away quickly. The scheme is designed to give protection against a 0.5 average probability event (1 in 200 years): it will reduce flood risk to 1,500 properties in the Warwick Road and Botcherby area of Carlisle.
A second £24 million project aims to protect the city centre, Caldewgate and Denton Holme, reducing the risk of flooding to the west of Carlisle along the River Caldew and River Eden. It is scheduled to be built between 2008 and 2010. It will include floodwalls and embankments along the Rivers Caldew and Eden and a pumping station that will pump water from the Little Caldew to the River Caldew when river levels pose a flood risk.
Detailed plan indicating flood area for an event of 1% annual probability
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