City flood defences almost ready

Hundreds of homes were affected by the floods in January 2005

Work to protect Carlisle from further damaging floods is ahead of schedule, the Environment Agency has said.

Three people died in devastating floods which saw 175mm of rain fall in just 36 hours in January 2005, and left a repair bill approaching £250m.

The agency mounted a £36m programme of flood defences to ensure the city did not suffer a similar occurrence.

The first phase of work in the Warwick Road area, which saw the brunt of the damage, is now virtually complete.

An agency spokesman said: "The Eden and Petteril flood alleviation scheme, which covers Warwick Road and Botcherby, is ahead of schedule.

Design process

"This means this winter the Warwick Road area will be protected from the same level of river flooding experienced in January 2005.

"Although some finishing work needs to be done, the scheme is due to be complete by Spring 2008."

Glyn Vaughan, agency flood risk manager, said: "Although the scheme will increase protection against flooding from the Rivers Eden and Petteril, flooding is a force of nature and we cannot prevent it completely.

"It is still vital that people find out what to do in the event of a flood and how to protect themselves."

The second part of the agency's works, the Caldew and Carlisle City Centre scheme, is currently going through a detailed design process.

Construction is due to start on site in Spring 2008 and the scheme is planned to be completed in 2010.