By Anika Bourley Parliamentary Correspondent

Last updated at 12:57, Friday, 11 February 2011

A study on whether Cockermouth should get a full flood alleviation scheme is due to report in weeks.

A rescue in Cockermouth

The study is assessing if a full scheme can be justified on economic, technical and environmental grounds.

If the findings, due before the end of next month, say a scheme should go ahead, a detailed design for the proposed works – which may include raising defences along the River Cocker by Ruby Banks Road – will be drawn up.

A £100,000 grant has already been secured from the local levy – locally-raised source of income – which will help complete the detailed design if it passes its first hurdle next month.

The Environment Agency said before the 2009 floods they were working closely with the Cockermouth Flood Action Group to improve flood defences in Cockermouth.

Some parts of the town including Gote Road already benefit from improved defences but the study is examining what else can be done to reduce flood risk to Cockermouth.

The Environment Agency told the News & Star it was working with the Cockermouth Flood action Group to promote the scheme and then it would be put forward to government with the hope of securing funding for 2012/13.

Workington MP Tony Cunningham said: “Flood defences are vital for Cockermouth and I will do everything I can to make sure we have all the defences we need.”

The Labour MP also said Government must ensure the Environment Agency budget has sufficient funds to deal with maintenance and flood resilience measures.

He said: “One contributory factor to the floods in west Cumbria in November 2009 was the lack of dredging and maintenance of becks, streams and rivers. We must ensure that there is sufficient funding for that.

“The other issue is flood resilience measures. It is all right having flood defences and doing maintenance, but individual houses and businesses need protection, and we must ensure that funds for flood resilience measures are sufficient.”

Mr Cunningham has warned the government that reducing the flood defence budget is short-sighted and will cost more money in the long run.

Speaking in a flooding debate this week he used Carlisle as an example of how vital defences were.

He added: “Carlisle was flooded a number of years ago. In 2009, as a result of a £35m investment in flood defences, Carlisle did not flood.

“As a Government, we spent £35m to prevent flooding.

“If we had not spent that amount and Carlisle had been flooded, it is estimated that it would have cost between £70m-£80m to clean up and repair the damage. Surely that is a good example,” added Mr Cunningham.

Earlier this week a £5.7m scheme to protect 180 homes in Keswick got the go-ahead from government.

First published at 11:46, Friday, 11 February 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk