Opinion  |   Flood risk management

Delivering community and environmental benefits through flood risk management

Cumbria in the north of England has a history of flooding. In 2015, 2,276 properties and businesses flooded in the town of Kendal and surrounding villages during Storm Desmond. To create future resilience, the Environment Agency and Westmorland & Furness Council are working with WSP and others to deliver one of the largest flood alleviation schemes in the UK.

TOM FITZPATRICK

WSP, working alongside the Environment Agency, other professional partners and the local community, identified a mix of grey and green infrastructure, ranging from linear flood defences to environmental enhancement areas. Interventions were considered on the basis of their technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental sustainability and social acceptability.

Following extensive public and stakeholder consultation, a catchment-based approach was selected, including linear defences constructed with low carbon concrete, improved pumping and conveyance, upstream storage, complementary natural flood management interventions and environmental improvements. Additionally, enhanced habitat and recreational areas covering more than 5ha of floodplain and upstream storage will provide temporary capacity for excess flood water.

Enhancing and formalising existing floodplains in strategic upstream locations reduces the volume of flood water flowing through downstream villages and Kendal. These measures, in conjunction with improving the conveyance of water and installing measures to hold water and slow the flow, provide a broad scope of effective interventions.

As a project manager on the Kendal scheme, I saw first-hand how working with the community can help ensure acceptance and the ongoing success of the scheme.

As well as flood protection, the scheme will better connect the community and visitors to the River Kent and surrounding areas through the creation of new footpaths and enhancements to habitat and recreational areas. Integration of recreational features, signage, seating and artworks form a crucial part of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme.

Education and art have also been integrated into the design, creating spaces to explore, discover and play.

“By collaborating with the community on flood mitigation, a sense of pride and ownership in the interventions is engendered​For example, a sensory path will provide an excellent public amenity while new habitats will attract pollinators – benefiting the ecosystem and biodiversity in the area, while helping to absorb carbon dioxide.

It was also vital that the scheme is inclusive and that the principles of inclusive design were considered for end users. For the Kendal scheme, the design teams worked carefully to ensure that the needs of people were considered. The scheme incorporates up and over ramps, suitable handrailing and the community had input into the choice of surfacing. The landscape design was developed with local stakeholders, artists and the community, including young people, through local schools and colleges.

We learned from the Kendal scheme that by collaborating with the community on flood mitigation, a sense of pride and ownership in the interventions is engendered. This means that the residents have become our eyes and ears on the ground, and are able to discuss any concerns or issues with the Environment Agency.​

• Tom Fitzpatrick is an associate engineer at WSP Published in association with ​

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