River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Summary Report December 2009 Managing Flood Risk We Are the Environment Agency

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River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Summary Report December 2009 managing flood risk We are the Environment Agency. It’s our job to look after your environment and make it a better place – for you, and for future generations. Your environment is the air you breathe, the water you drink and the ground you walk on. Working with business, Government and society as a whole, we are making your environment cleaner and healthier. The Environment Agency. Out there, making your environment a better place.

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Environment Agency Richard Fairclough House Knutsford Road Warrington WA4 1HT Tel: 0870 8506506 Email: [email protected] www.environment-agency.gov.uk

I am pleased to introduce our summary of the River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP). This CFMP gives an overview of the flood risk in the River Derwent catchment and sets out our preferred plan for sustainable flood risk management over the next 50 to 100 years.

The River Derwent CFMP is one of 77 CFMPs for England suffered severe flooding in November 2009. By 2100, and Wales. Through the CFMPs, we have assessed we estimate that there will be 1660 properties at risk in inland flood risk across all of England and Wales for a 1% annual fluvial flood event, this is a 66% increase. the first time. The CFMP considers all types of inland There is also a tidal risk from estuaries in the CFMP flooding, from rivers, groundwater, surface water area, including the towns of Workington and Maryport. and tidal flooding, but not flooding directly from the Although this document is a summary of the main sea (coastal flooding), which is covered by Shoreline CFMP document which sets out the long term policies Management Plans (SMPs). Our coverage of surface for this catchment, we have taken the opportunity to and groundwater is however limited due to a lack of update this document with information from the recent available information. (Nov. 2009) flood.

The role of CFMPs is to establish flood risk management We cannot reduce flood risk on our own, we will policies which will deliver sustainable flood risk therefore work closely with all our partners to improve management for the long term. This is essential if we the co-ordination of flood risk activities and agree are to make the right investment decisions for the the most effective way to management flood risk in future and to help prepare ourselves effectively for the future. To develop this plan and ensure social, the impact of climate change. We will use CFMPs to economic and environmental issues were taken help us target our limited resources where the risks into account we worked with, and consulted many are greatest. organisations. These included United Utilities, Allerdale Borough Council, Cumbria County Council, Natural This CFMP identifies flood risk management policies to England, National Trust, Lake District National Park assist all key decision makers in the catchment. It was Authority, RSPB, NFU and Defra. produced through a wide consultation and appraisal process, however it is only the first step towards an This is a summary of the main CFMP document, if you integrated approach to Flood Risk Management. As we need to see the full document an electronic version all work together to achieve our objectives, we must can be obtained by emailing enquiries@environment- monitor and listen to each others progress, discuss agency.gov.uk or alternatively paper copies can be what has been achieved and consider where we may viewed at any of our offices in North West Region. need to review parts of the CFMP.

In the Derwent catchment, over 1000 residential and commercial properties are at a 1% annual risk of flooding from rivers. Over 50% of the properties at risk are concentrated in the towns of Keswick, Cockermouth Tony Dean and Wigton. Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington Regional Director

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 1 Contents

The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk 3

Catchment overview 4

Current and future flood risk 6

Future direction for flood risk management 10

Sub-areas 1 Keswick 12 2 Cockermouth 14 3 Wigton 16 4 Cocker and Marron 17 5 Upper Derwent 18 6 Lower Derwent 20 7 Ellen 21 8 Workington 22 9 Maryport 23 10 Wampool and Waver 24

Map of CFMP policies 26

Cover photo reproduced with kind permission of Tony West

2 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk

CFMPs help us to understand the • Internal Drainage Board, water CFMPs aim to promote more scale and extent of flooding now companies and other utilities to sustainable approaches to managing and in the future, and set policies help plan their activities in the flood risk. The policies identified in for managing flood risk within the wider context of the catchment. the CFMP will be delivered through a catchment. CFMPs should be used combination of different approaches. • Transportation planners. to inform planning and decision Together with our partners, we making by key stakeholders such as: • Landowners, farmers and will implement these approaches land managers who manage through a range of delivery plans, • The Environment Agency, who will and operate land for projects and actions. use the plan to guide decisions agriculture, conservation on investment in further plans, The relationship between the CFMP, and amenity purposes. projects or actions. delivery plans, strategies, projects • The public and businesses to and actions is shown in figure 1. • Regional planning bodies and enhance their understanding local authorities who can use of flood risk and how it will the plan to inform spatial be managed. planning activities and emergency planning.

Figure 1 The relationship between CFMPs, delivery plans, projects and actions

Policy planning • CFMPs and Shoreline Management Plans. • Action plans define requirement for delivery plans, projects and actions.

Policy delivery plans (see note) Projects and actions • Influence spatial planning to reduce risk • Make sure our spending delivers the best and restore floodplains. possible outcomes. • Prepare for and manage floods • Focus on risk based targets, for example (including local Flood Warning plans). numbers of households at risk. • Managing assets. • Water level management plans. • Land management and habitat creation. Note: Some plans may not be led by us – we may • Surface water management plans. identify the need and encourage their development.

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 3 Catchment overview

The Derwent CFMP area lies Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwent Water, are mainly located within the within North West Cumbria. Thirlmere Reservoir, Buttermere and uplands of the Derwent catchment. Most of the CFMP area is within Crummock Water. The River Ellen In addition, some coastal areas the administrative boundary of covers the central part of the CFMP may be subject to tidal flooding Allerdale Borough Council, with area and drains into the Irish Sea including parts of Workington, a significant proportion within at Maryport. The Rivers Wampool Maryport, Flimby and Silloth. the Lake District National Park and Waver cover the upper portion This CFMP area has a particularly Authority (LDNPA). It covers a total of the CFMP area and drain into the high environmental and landscape area of 1,235km2 and has four Solway Firth at Moricambe Bay. value, reflected in its two main significant river systems (Derwent, The catchments within the designations. Much of the area is Ellen, Wampool and Waver) which Derwent CFMP receive a great deal within the Lake District National drain the northern fells of the Lake of rainfall. Combined with the Park and it contains one Area of District and the Solway Basin into impermeable underlying geology Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). the Irish Sea. The River Derwent and waterlogged upland soils, this Many of its sites have international, and its major tributaries cover the produces large amounts of run-off. European and national southern part of the CFMP area and The main risk areas on these rivers environmental designations, rise in the high peaks of the Lake are Cockermouth and Keswick (on including over 25 sites of special District draining into the Irish Sea the Derwent) and Wigton (on Wiza scientific interest and 11 scheduled at Workington. There are several Beck). There are many smaller ancient monuments. lakes which play a key role in the settlements at risk from localised Derwent catchment, including rapid run-off from the fells which

Coledale Beck at Braithwaite

4 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Map 1 Main Features of River Derwent CFMP area

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 5 Current and future flood risk

Overview of the current flood risk

Flood risk has two components: The main sources of flooding in the some areas because the ground the chance (probability) of a Derwent catchment are as follows: is steep and impermeable, these particular flood and the impact (or areas are generally outside consequence) that the flood would • River flooding has its largest the urban areas. Very little have if it happened. The probability effects in Keswick from the Rivers information on surface water of a flood relates to the likelihood of Greta and Derwent, Cockermouth flooding in the Derwent CFMP a flood of that size occurring within is affected again from the area was available but there are a one year period, it is expressed Derwent and the River Cocker, known surface water flooding as a percentage. For example, Wigton floods from Wiza Beck issues from the Cuddy Beck in a 1% flood has a 1% chance or and Allonby from Crookhurst Keswick and in Greysouthern, probability of occurring in any one Beck. There are many smaller Brigham, Broughton Cross, year, and a 0.5% flood has a 0.5% responsive watercourses that Broughton, Broughton Moor and chance or probability of occurring in can rise and fall very quickly, and Flimby these are generally very any one year. The flood risks quoted give little warning of flooding, for localised in nature affecting few, in this report are those that take example the Marron, which affects if any properties. Some of the account of flood defences already in Branthwaite and Bridgefoot. flooding may be exacerbated by place. • Tidal flooding is caused by inadequate culvert capacity. Newspaper reports over the last storm surge and wave action • Sewer flooding is usually caused 250 years point to a long history of in times of high astronomical by an inadequate sewer capacity flooding in the Derwent catchment. tides. The primary areas of tidal or blockages within the network. The largest in recent times was flood risk are on the estuaries Isolated sewer flooding affects in November 2009. Keswick of the Derwent at Workington, various locations across the Cockermouth and Workington the Ellen at Maryport and the catchment to some extent. The experienced an extreme flood Wampool at Kirkbride. Direct greatest number of external event. Rain gauges at Seathwaite coastal flooding within the CFMP sewer flooding incidents are Farm recorded over 400mm of area is significant, with up to 327 recorded in Dearham and rainfall between the 18th and 20th properties identified as being at Keswick, but we do not have any of November, and it is believed, risk in a 0.5% tidal event. About more detail on these events. also recorded the highest 24hr two thirds of these properties are Elliot Park in Keswick is known total in the UK of 316 mm during located in a coastal strip between to have sewer flooding problems this period. Around 240 properties the towns of Workington and when the River Greta is high as were flooded by overtopping of Maryport. The remaining third are it prevents effective discharge to flood defences in Keswick. In concentrated around Silloth and the river. United Utilities have an Cockermouth, 885 properties were Moricambe Bay. Tidal flooding ongoing programme of work to flooded and Workington had 90. and coastal processes will be improve the sewer network. The floods destroyed six bridges. assessed in the next Shoreline • Groundwater flooding occurs as a The peak flow at Camerton gauging Management Plan expected in result of water rising up from the station on the Derwent was the 2010. underlying rocks or from water largest in over 40 years of recorded • Surface water flooding is caused flowing from abnormal springs. data exceeding the previous total by by water collecting or flowing There is little groundwater in the over one metre. over the surface before soaking Derwent CFMP area, and it does into the ground or entering a not cause any known flooding watercourse. This is expected in problems.

6 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan What is at risk?

Using a broad-scale model and from the estuaries of the River Ellen cause a risk to life. It is predicted flood maps we estimate over and River Derwent respectively. these situations can only worsen 1000 residential and commercial Flooding at areas such as with the increases in flow predicted properties are at a 1% annual Rosthwaite is characterised by rapid by climate change scenarios. The risk of flooding from rivers within runoff leading to a fast rate of rise map overleaf illustrates where the the catchment. Over 50% of the of the floodwater, this can produce properties are at risk of flooding in a properties at risk are concentrated high velocities, which may in turn 1% annual probability event. in the towns of Keswick, Cockermouth and Wigton. There are 6 SACs, 1 SPA, 1 RAMSAR site, 26 Table 1. Locations of Towns and Villages with 25 or more properties SSSIs and 11 scheduled ancient at risk in a 1% annual probability river flood monuments within the 1% annual probability flood extent, some of Number of properties at risk Locations which could be adversely affected 101 to 500 Keswick (in the Allerdale Borough by a flood. Council area) Cockermouth (in the Allerdale Borough Council area) Where is the risk? Wigton (in the Allerdale Borough There is a long history of flooding Council area) in the CFMP area, most seriously Allonby (in the Allerdale Borough in January 2005 and more Council area) recently in October 2008. There are three main towns affected 51 to 100 Silloth (in the Allerdale Borough by flooding in the Derwent CFMP Council area) area, Keswick, Cockermouth and Wigton. In Keswick our defences 25 to 50 Braithwaite (in the Allerdale are mainly raised defence walls and Borough Council area) Cockermouth benefits from flood Workington (in the Allerdale defences consisting of riverside Borough Council area) walls, stop logs, floodgates and Kirkbride (in the Allerdale Borough minor earthworks. Wigton does not Council area) benefit from formal flood defences. Many other villages across the CFMP area have varying degrees of flood Table 2. Critical infrastructure at risk: risk. In these locations the total number of properties at risk may be 1 School, 1 Care Home, 4 Emergency Response, 3 Utility stations, 1 small but the impact of flooding on Telephone Exchange, 5 Sewage Treatment Works and 2 Water Treatment the community may be significant. Works. Parts of both Maryport and Workington are at risk of flooding

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 7 Map 2 Flood Risk in the River Derwent CFMP Area for a 1% event

How we currently manage the risk in the catchment

The Derwent catchment has now provides the town centre with Activities that reduce the probability benefited, from engineering protection for a 1% annual flood of flooding include: schemes put in place over the last event. • Maintaining and improving 20 years or more. These include: In addition to these engineering existing flood defences, • The Keswick Flood Alleviation schemes, other flood risk structures and watercourses. Scheme was completed in 1989 management activities are carried The catchment has over 49 km of and provided the town with out in the catchment. These include raised defences, more than 13km defences with a design standard activities, which help to reduce the of which are maintained by the of 2%. probability of flooding, and those Environment Agency. that address the consequences of • Construction of the Cockermouth • Enforcement and maintenance flooding. Flood Alleviation Scheme in 1999 where riparian owners and others and subsequent improvements carry out work detrimental to flood risk or neglect their duties.

8 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan The impact of climate change and future flood risk

• Identifying and promoting new In the future, flooding will be In the Derwent CFMP, taking into flood alleviation schemes where influenced by climate change, account climate change, by 2100 the appropriate, such as the work changes in land use (for example number of properties potentially at in progress that is looking at urban development) and rural risk from flooding increases. In many opportunities to reduce flood risk land management. In the Derwent cases, very significant increases are in Keswick and Cockermouth and catchment, sensitivity testing likely where current defences may studies at Bridgefoot, Rosthwaite revealed that climate change has be overwhelmed. For example, in and Wigton. the greatest impact on flood risk, Keswick the number of properties with land management change, at risk in the 1% annual probability • Working with local authorities to and urbanisation having a smaller event (APE) may increase from 195 influence the location, layout and effect. Whilst we do not know to 362 and in Cockermouth from design of new and redeveloped exactly what will happen in the 174 to 364. It is predicted that there property and ensuring that only future the key trends are: will be greater hazard to people appropriate development is due to the future depth and velocity allowed on the floodplain through • More frequent and intense of flooding in many places. Large the application of Planning Policy storms causing more widespread increases in tidal levels, particularly Statement 25 (PPS25). flooding from drainage systems from 2050 to 2100, suggest the and some rivers. Activities that reduce the number of properties at risk in the consequences of flooding include: • Wetter winters increasing the 0.5% APE tidal event in Workington likelihood of large-scale flooding. may increase from 35 to 405 and • Flood risk mapping, in Maryport from four to 46. No understanding where flooding is The future scenarios used in the additional environmental or heritage likely to occur. Derwent CFMP were: sites are in the future 1% annual probability flood extent but the • Operation of floodline and flood • A 20% increase in peak flow in flood depth and extent of flooding is warning services to over 750 all watercourses. The predicted expected to increase slightly. properties in three areas of the increase in flow can affect the Derwent catchment. frequency, timing, scale of Figure 2 shows the difference flooding and the flood levels. between current and future flood • Providing flood incident risk for a 1% annual probability management. • A total sea level rise of 841 mm event at key areas in the catchment. by the year 2100. • Promoting awareness of flooding so that organisations, communities and individuals are Figure 2 Current and future (2100) flood risk to property from a 1% annual aware of the risk and are prepared probability river flood, taking into account current flood defences. in case they need to take action in

time of flood. 400

• Promoting resilience and 350 resistance measures for those 300

properties already in the 250 floodplain. 200

150

100

Number of Properties at Flood Risk at Properties Number of 50

0 Flimby Lorton Wigton Allonby GrangeKeswick Threlkeld Wythop Abbey Town BraithwaiteBranthwaiteBridgefootBranthwaite Rosthwaite WaverbridgeWestnewton BassenthwaiteBlennerhassett Cockermouth Current Future

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 9 Future direction for flood risk management

Approaches in each sub-area

We have divided the Derwent and raising defences. This is why This document does set out our CFMP area into ten distinct sub- we have to look catchment wide at policies for managing flood risk, areas that have similar physical how we direct effort and resources recognising the constraints that characteristics, sources of flooding to ensure sustainable solutions. do exist. Our future direction for and levels of risk. These sub- We have assessed what will be managing flood risk is expressed areas will allow us and the key the most sustainable approach by applying one of our six standard stakeholders to promote flood to managing flood risk in each policy options to that sub area. To risk management approaches, sub-area. This is presented in the select the most appropriate policy, policies and actions that are most following sections and they outline: the plan has considered how social, appropriate in that area to deliver economic and environmental • The key issues in that area. the various Government and objectives are affected by flood risk regional strategies, in particular • The vision and preferred policy. management activities under each “Making Space for Water”. In the policy option. The six policy options face of increasing risk, it often is • The proposed actions to are explained on page 11. not sustainable to keep building implement the policy.

Map 3 Sub-areas

10 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Table 3 Policy options ➜ Policy 1 Areas of little or no flood risk where we will continue to monitor and advise This policy will tend to be applied in those areas where there are very few properties at risk of flooding. It reflects a commitment to work with the natural flood processes as far as possible.

➜ Policy 2 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk management actions This policy will tend to be applied where the overall level of risk to people and property is low to moderate. It may no longer be value for money to focus on continuing current levels of maintenance of existing defences if we can use resources to reduce risk where there are more people at higher risk. We would therefore review the flood risk management actions being taken so that they are proportionate to the level of risk.

➜ Policy 3 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we are generally managing existing flood risk effectively This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently appropriately managed and where the risk of flooding is not expected to increase significantly in the future. However, we keep our approach under review, looking for improvements and responding to new challenges or information as they emerge. We may review our approach to managing flood defences and other flood risk management actions, to ensure that we are managing efficiently and taking the best approach to managing flood risk in the longer term.

➜ Policy 4 Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we are already managing the flood risk effectively but where we may need to take further actions to keep pace with climate change This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently deemed to be appropriately-managed, but where the risk of flooding is expected to significantly rise in the future. In this case we would need to do more in the future to contain what would otherwise be increasing risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require further appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 5 Areas of moderate to high flood risk where we can generally take further action to reduce flood risk This policy will tend to be applied to those areas where the case for further action to reduce flood risk is most compelling, for example where there are many people at high risk, or where changes in the environment have already increased risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require additional appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 6 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we will take action with others to store water or manage run-off in locations that provide overall flood risk reduction or environmental benefits This policy will tend to be applied where there may be opportunities in some locations to reduce flood risk locally or more widely in a catchment by storing water or managing run-off. The policy has been applied to an area (where the potential to apply the policy exists), but would only be implemented in specific locations within the area, after more detailed appraisal and consultation.

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 11 Sub-area 1

Keswick

Our key partners are: condition. This may be sensitive The key messages to changes in run-off and flood risk Lake District National Park management measures. • We are currently undertaking a Authority detailed study to assess whether further development of flood Local authorities The vision and defences in Keswick is feasible. United Utilities preferred policy • Properties that are prone to flooding should be made more Natural England Policy option 5: Areas of moderate resistant and resilient to manage to high flood risk where we can the residual risks. generally take further action to The issues in this reduce flood risk. • Continue with flood warning programme and provide This sub-area covers the town of sub-area residents with information and Keswick. There are around 195 advice. This sub-area covers the town of properties at risk in a 1% flood Keswick situated in the Lake District event. There are significant raised National Park. There is flood risk flood defence walls on the River to approximately 195 properties Greta through Keswick, without in a 1% APE. The causes of the which an additional 141 properties flooding are primarily from the may be at risk of flooding. Flood River Greta, but risks also come risk is likely to increase in future as from Cuddy Beck, Derwent Water flood flows may increase meaning and surface water. We currently that defences are more likely to manage the risks to Keswick by be overtopped. The number of maintaining flood defences and the properties at risk in the 1% APE river channels along the River Greta. could increase to around 362. In Following the 2005 floods further future to keep pace with climate river modelling has been used to change we anticipate the need to assess the standard of protection maintain and possibly upgrade the provided by the defences. In places flood defences where appropriate this has been found to be less than and also maintain the river the design standard and funding channels and associated assets. has been allocated to start design We also will improve the flood work on a flood alleviation scheme. warning service where required. We offer a flood warning service in Actions in the catchment upstream Keswick. One school, one campsite may be able to reduce flood flows and one emergency response reaching Keswick and help mitigate centre are at risk. The River Greta the risk. United Utilities have been through Keswick forms part of the trialing some flood risk reduction to River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Keswick by making available some Lake Special Area of Conservation flood storage capacity in Thirlmere (SAC) which is in an unfavourable Reservoir over the winter months.

12 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• In March 2007, as part of our National Capital Programme, our consulting engineers completed a high level viability study. A business case, supported by the findings of the viability study, has now been approved, and our consultants will shortly be starting work on a more detailed investigation Project Appraisal Report which is likely to take 12-18 months to complete. Only when this investigation is complete, will we know if there are fully technically feasible, financially justifiable, and environmentally acceptable engineering solutions that can be implemented.

• Improve flood warning and flood forecasting services including the provision of information and advice for people to take effective action. This needs to include visitors to campsites.

• River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake SACs are very sensitive environments that may be adversely impacted by flood risk management (FRM) work. We will continue to monitor and assess channel maintenance works, including gravel extraction in the River Greta at Keswick.

• Ensure that inappropriate development is guided away from flood risk areas and that where development is permitted, risks are adequately mitigated. Run-off from new development should be managed to minimise flood risk.

The River Greta at Keswick

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 13 Sub-area 2

Cockermouth

Our key partners are: The issues in this walls on the River Derwent and sub-area Cocker through Cockermouth, Allerdale Borough Council without which an additional 119 properties may be at risk Cumbria County Council This sub-area covers the town of Cockermouth situated just outside of flooding. Flood risk is likely Lake District National Park the Lake District National Park. to increase in future as flood Authority There is flood risk to approximately flows may increase meaning 174 properties in a 1% APE. The that defences are more likely to Developers causes of the flooding are from the be overtopped. The number of River Derwent and the River Cocker. properties at risk in the 1% APE We currently manage the risks to could increase to around 364. In Cockermouth by maintaining flood future to keep pace with climate defences and river channels along change we anticipate the need to the River Derwent and River Cocker. maintain and possibly upgrade the This offers a standard of protection flood defences where appropriate up to a 1% APE in the town centre. and also maintain the river We offer a flood warning service channels and associated assets. We in Cockermouth. Two utility also will improve the flood warning installations, one sewage treatment service where required. Actions in works and two emergency response the catchment upstream may be centres are at risk. The River able to reduce flood flows reaching Derwent and River Cocker through Cockermouth and help mitigate the Cockermouth form part of the River risk. Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake SAC which is in an unfavourable condition. This may be sensitive The key messages to changes in run-off and flood risk • Continue to maintain, and management measures. consider improving, existing defences but recognise that The vision and major works will have to compete with other areas for national preferred policy funding.

Policy option 5: Areas of moderate • Properties that are prone to to high flood risk where we can flooding should be made more generally take further action to resistant and resilient to manage reduce flood risk. the residual risks.

There are around 174 properties • Continue with flood warning at risk in a 1% flood event. There programme and provide are significant raised flood defence residents with information and advice.

14 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Undertake a study to investigate the options for further reducing flood risk in Cockermouth, accepting that major works will have to compete with other areas for funding.

• Improve flood warning and flood forecasting services including the provision of information and advice for people to take effective action.

• River Derwent SAC is a very sensitive environment that may be adversely impacted by FRM work. Continue to monitor and assess channel maintenance works including gravel extraction in the River Derwent at Cockermouth.

• Work with the local planning authorities to ensure that inappropriate development is guided away from flood risk areas and that where development is permitted, risks are adequately mitigated. Run-off from new development should be managed to minimise flood risk.

Floodgate on a footbridge over the River Cocker

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 15 Sub-area 3

Wigton

Our key partners are: flows increase due to the effects Proposed actions to of climate change. The number of implement the preferred Allerdale District Council properties at risk in a 1% APE could increase to around 174. A major policy Cumbria County Council industrial site in Wigton is at flood The essential actions to achieve our Developers risk. In future, we would aim to policy aim are listed below: reduce flood risk in Wigton. A more detailed investigation of options • Carry out a study to consider the to manage flood risk should be justification for reducing flood The issues in this carried out, including consideration risk further in Wigton and sub-area of defences, maintenance of the appropriate ways of doing this, river channels and structures and accepting that major works will This sub-area covers the town of introducing a flood warning service. have to compete with other areas Wigton situated in the north of Actions to reduce run-off in the for funding. Cumbria. There is flood risk to catchment upstream may be able to • Encourage the use of flood approximately 155 properties in a reduce flood flows reaching Wigton resilience and flood-proofing to 1% APE, and 72 properties in a 10% and help mitigate the risk. existing properties in Wigton APE. The causes of the flooding are through the provision of from the Wiza Beck, Speet Gill and information and advice and seek Black Beck. We currently manage The key messages appropriate opportunities for the risks to Wigton by maintaining funding these measures. the river channels. There are no • Local works may help reduce formal flood defences in Wigton. flood risks but major works may • There is no flood warning service Currently there is no flood warning not be a priority for funding. in Wigton. The rate of rise of the service. An emergency response flood waters here suggests it may centre and one COMAH site are at • Properties that are prone to be technically feasible to risk. There are no designated sites flooding should be made more implement a flood warning system. at risk in this sub-area. resistant and resilient to manage We would need to assess the likely the risks. flood warning areas, mechanisms of flooding and determine the • Consider introducing a flood most appropriate methods of The vision and warning service for Wigton. forecasting flooding and preferred policy disseminating that information.

Policy option 5: Areas of moderate • Work with local planning to high flood risk where we can authorities to ensure that generally take further action to inappropriate development does reduce flood risk. not take place in flood risk areas and that where development is There are around 155 properties exceptionally permitted, risks are at risk in a 1% flood event. There adequately mitigated. Run-off are no formal flood defences in from new development should be Wigton and no specific flood managed to minimise flood risk warning service. Flood risk is elsewhere. likely to increase in future as flood

16 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Sub-area 4

Cocker and Marron

Our key partners are: The vision and Proposed actions to

Allerdale Borough Council preferred policy implement the preferred policy Copeland Borough Council Policy option 2: Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can The essential actions to achieve our Lake District National Park generally reduce existing flood risk policy aim are listed below: Authority management actions. • Look to reduce maintenance Developers This sub-area covers the catchments expenditure in this sub-area in of the River Cocker and River future. Review effectiveness of Marron. This includes the villages current maintenance works, of Bridgefoot, Branthwaite, Lorton The issues in this including the few maintained and Buttermere. There are around flood defences. Focus future sub-area 70 properties at risk in a 1% flood maintenance on known problem event. There are few Environment This sub-area is predominantly areas and managing gravel Agency maintained flood defences rural, covering the catchments of accumulation. in these catchments and there is a the River Cocker and River Marron. flood warning service to properties • Work with local planning In total, there are approximately at Southwaite Bridge. Flood risk is authorities to ensure that 70 properties at risk in a 1% likely to increase in future as flood inappropriate development is APE in these two catchments. flows may increase. Ideally, we guided away from flood risk areas No individual village has many would aim to create a system with and that where exceptionally, properties at risk but there are fewer artificial influences and a development is permitted, risks localised issues, for example at more natural flooding regime. We are adequately mitigated. Bridgefoot, where deep flooding will have to accept that there will be Run-off from new development can occur at the confluence of the an increase in flood risk in future should be managed to minimise River Marron and Lostrigg Beck. due to climate change. By 2100 due flood risk. We currently manage the risks in to this we estimate there will be 80 this area by maintaining some of • Encourage take-up of properties at risk in a 1% APE. the river channels. There is a flood Environmental Stewardship warning service to three properties grants for more sustainable land at Southwaite Bridge on the River management practices. Cocker. A sewage treatment works The key messages • Where localised problems exist and a campsite are at risk. The • Predominantly rural area with or occur at villages within this River Cocker and River Marron both localised flooding issues. Focus largely rural sub-area, they form part of the River Derwent and our involvement on known should be addressed with an Bassenthwaite Lake Special Area problem areas. appropriate response. This could of Conservation (SAC) which is in be achieved through promoting an unfavourable condition. This • Aim to work towards a more flood resilience measures and/or may be sensitive to changes in natural catchment and flooding small-scale local works. run-off and flood risk management regime. Avoid inappropriate measures. development in the floodplain.

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 17 Sub-area 5

Upper Derwent

Our key partners are: in this area form part of the River artificial influences and a more Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake natural flooding regime. Some Lake District National Park SAC which is in an unfavourable works may be carried out to protect Authority condition. This may be sensitive villages, if justified, and agricultural to changes in run-off and flood risk defences may be removed to restore Local authorities management measures. floodplains and enhance habitats. Developers Critically, all water from this area flows into Bassenthwaite Lake Natural England The vision and which is an extremely sensitive preferred policy habitat. Naturalising the flooding regime should contribute to The issues in this Policy option 6: Areas of low to reducing pollutants and sediments moderate flood risk where we reaching the lake. sub-area will take action with others to This sub-area is predominantly store water or manage run-off in rural and covers the catchments locations that provide overall flood The key messages draining into Bassenthwaite Lake. risk reduction or environmental • Work towards catchment This includes the River Derwent, the benefits. management to deliver multiple River Greta, River Glenderamackin, This sub-area covers the catchments benefits for flood risk and Newlands Beck, St John’s Beck and draining into Bassenthwaite Lake, the environment, particularly many other small watercourses. including River Derwent, River contributing to the rehabilitation Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwent Water Greta, St John’s Beck and River of Bassenthwaite Lake. and Thirlmere Reservoir are also Glenderamackin (excludes the included. There are numerous town of Keswick). These include • The floodplain is our most villages within this area such as the villages of Grange, Rosthwaite, important asset in managing Grange, Rosthwaite, Threlkeld, Threlkeld, Braithwaite and flood risk. We want to Braithwaite and Bassenthwaite. In Bassenthwaite. There are around work towards restoring the total there are approximately 191 191 properties at risk in a 1% natural floodplains and avoid properties at risk of flooding in a 1% APE. There are few Environment inappropriate development. APE in this area, which are spread Agency maintained flood defences over many villages and caused by in these catchments and there is local issues. We currently manage no specific flood warning service. the risks in this area by maintaining Flood risk is likely to increase some of the river channels. There slightly in future as flood flows are are also many privately maintained predicted to increase. By 2100 defences, some of which do protect due to climate change we estimate property. There is no formal flood 260 properties will be at risk of warning service in this area. One flooding in a 1% APE. Several sewage treatment works, one villages in this sub-area are at risk school, one utility installation and of flooding, including Braithwaite, three campsites are at risk in a 1% Rosthwaite, and Bassenthwaite. We APE. Some of the watercourses hope to create a system with fewer

18 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Review effectiveness of current defences and maintenance works, including gravel extraction. Investigate reconnection of floodplains to watercourses to reduce flows reaching Keswick and reduce sediment load.

• Work with local planning authorities to ensure that inappropriate development is guided away from flood risk areas and that where exceptionally, development is permitted, risks are adequately mitigated. Run-off from new development should be managed to minimise flood risk.

• Where localised problems exist or occur in villages within this largely rural sub-area, they should be addressed with an appropriate response. This could be achieved by promoting flood resilience measures and/or small scale local works.

• Encourage take-up of Environmental Stewardship grants for more sustainable land management practices.

Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 19 Sub-area 6

Lower Derwent

Our key partners are: The vision and The key messages

Lake District National Park preferred policy • Predominantly rural area with Authority Policy option 2: Areas of low to localised flooding issues. Focus our involvement on known Cumbria County Council moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk problem areas. Allerdale Borough Council management actions. • Aim to work towards a more Natural England This sub-area covers the catchments natural catchment and flooding of the River Derwent downstream regime. Avoid inappropriate of Bassenthwaite Lake (excluding development in the floodplain. the town of Cockermouth). This The issues in this includes numerous villages, sub-area including Great Broughton, Seaton, Proposed actions to Great Clifton and Stainburn but This sub-area is predominantly implement the preferred none are at significant flood risk. rural, covering the catchments of policy There are around 18 properties the River Derwent downstream at risk in a 1% flood event. By The essential actions to achieve our of Bassenthwaite Lake. There 2100 due to climate change we policy aim are listed below: are approximately 18 properties estimate over 90 properties may be at risk in a 1% APE in this area. • Look to reduce maintenance at risk in a 1% APE. There are few No individual village has many expenditure in this Sub-area in Environment Agency maintained properties at risk but there are future. Review effectiveness of flood defences in this area and localised issues, particularly on current maintenance works. there is no specific flood warning tributaries. We currently manage Focus future maintenance on service. Flood risk is likely to the risks in this area by maintaining known problem areas, increase in future as flood flows some of the river channels. There particularly on small may increase but will remain are also some privately maintained watercourses. relatively localised. Ideally we embankments along the River would aim to create a system with Derwent, predominantly defending • Work with local planning fewer artificial influences and a agricultural land. There is no flood authorities to ensure that more natural flooding regime. warning service in this area. One inappropriate development does water treatment works, one sewage not take place in flood risk areas treatment works and one campsite and that where exceptionally, are at risk. The River Derwent in development is permitted, risks this area forms part of the River are adequately mitigated. Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake Run-off from new development Special Area of Conservation which should be managed to minimise at present is in an unfavourable flood risk. condition. This may be sensitive to changes in run-off and flood risk management measures.

20 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Sub-area 7

Ellen

Our key partners are: The vision and The key messages

Allerdale Borough Council preferred policy • Predominantly rural area with localised flooding issues. Focus Cumbria County Council Policy option 2: Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can our involvement on known Lake District National Park generally reduce existing flood risk problem areas. Authority management actions. • Aim to work towards a more Natural England This sub-area covers the catchments natural catchment and flooding of the River Ellen catchment and regime. Avoid inappropriate some neighbouring coastal streams development in the floodplain. including Westnewton Beck and The issues in this Allonby Beck. This includes the sub-area villages of Blennerhasset, Baggrow, Proposed actions to Bullgill, Westnewton and Allonby. This sub-area is predominantly implement the preferred There are around 189 properties rural covering the catchments of policy at risk in a 1% flood event. There the River Ellen and several small are few Environment Agency The essential actions to achieve our watercourses such as Westnewton maintained flood defences in policy aim are listed below: Beck and Allonby Beck. In total, these catchments. Allonby has the there are approximately 189 • Look to reduce maintenance highest number of properties at risk properties at risk in a 1% APE in this expenditure in this sub-area in (over 100). Flood risk is likely to area. The majority of these are at future. Review effectiveness of increase slightly in future as flood Allonby, although a more detailed current maintenance works, flows may increase, we estimate by investigation of flood risk at Allonby including the few maintained 2100, 240 properties may be at risk would help confirm this level of flood defences. Focus future in a 1% event. Ideally we would risk. Other locations at risk include maintenance on known problem aim to create a system with fewer Westnewton, Blennerhasset, areas and managing gravel artificial influences and a more Baggrow and Bullgill. We currently accumulation. natural flooding regime. We will manage the risks in this area by have to accept that there will be an • Work with local planning maintaining some of the river increase in flood risk in future due authorities to ensure that channels. There is no flood warning to climate change but the increase inappropriate development does service in this area. The railway in risk will be manageable. not take place in flood risk areas from Carlisle to Workington follows and that where exceptionally, the River Ellen closely in places development is permitted, risks and has previously been affected are adequately mitigated. Run-off by flooding. In addition, a sewage from new development should be treatment works and a campsite are managed to minimise flood risk. potentially at risk. • Encourage take up of Environmental Stewardship grants for more sustainable land management practices.

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 21 Sub-area 8

Workington

Our key partners are: The vision and • Investigate future management of tidal flood risks in Workington, Allerdale Borough Council preferred policy both from the Derwent estuary, and from the coast in conjunction Cumbria County Council Policy option 4: Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where with the SMP. United Utilities we are already managing the flood • Avoid inappropriate development risk effectively but where we may in areas of Workington that may Natural England need to take further actions to keep be at flood risk in future. Developers pace with climate change. This sub-area covers the town of Workington. There are around 35 Proposed actions to The issues in this properties at risk in a 0.5% tidal implement the preferred flood event. There are no formal policy sub-area flood defences in Workington and no This sub-area covers the town of specific fluvial flood warning service. The essential actions to achieve our Workington situated on the Derwent Flooding is primarily tidal from the policy aim are listed below: River Derwent Estuary. Flood risk estuary on the west coast of Cumbria. • Develop a long term strategy for is likely to increase in future as sea There is flood risk to approximately managing sea level rise for 35 properties in a 0.5% annual levels are predicted to increase communities affected by tidal probability tidal event. Recent figures significantly by 2100. By this time, flooding. CFMP policy for the from our flood maps show there are it is anticipated that around 400 estuaries must ensure they tie in 20 properties at risk in a 1% APE properties may be at risk in the 0.5% with SMP policies for the from the River Derwent in Workington event. The CFMP must work closely coastline. Consider the feasibility and 30 properties from Scale Beck. with the Shoreline Management of options for reducing risk in the There are few records of properties Plan (SMP) and determine a long- long term – post 2050. This flooding from rivers in this sub-area. term strategy for managing the should include changes in land In 2005, some properties flooded increase in risk. This work indicates use through the planning system in Church Street, but this is thought that the increase in the number of and flood resilience. to be from surface water exceeding properties that may be at risk is likely • Where localised fluvial or surface the capacity of the drainage system. to take place between 2050 and water problems exist or occur We currently manage the risks to 2100. Actions are therefore most within this sub-area, they should Workington by maintaining the river appropriate in the longer term and be addressed with an appropriate channels. There are no formal flood consideration must be given to a full response by promoting flood defences in Workington and no flood range of methods of managing the resilience measures and/or small warning service. There are also risks risk in Workington rather than simply scale local works. from the drainage system and surface building defences. water. The River Derwent upstream • Work with local planning of Workington Bridge forms part of authorities to ensure that the River Derwent and Bassenthwaite The key messages inappropriate development does Lake Special Area of Conservation not take place in flood risk areas which is in an unfavourable • Flood risk in Workington is likely and that where exceptionally, condition. This may be sensitive to increase significantly in future development is permitted, risks to changes in run-off and flood risk due to climate change and the are adequately mitigated. Run-off management measures. predicted rise in sea level. from new development should be managed to minimise flood risk.

22 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Sub-area 9

Maryport

Our key partners are: This sub-area covers the town of the coast in conjunction with the Maryport. There are around four SMP. Allerdale Borough Council properties at risk in a 0.5% APE. • Avoid inappropriate development The harbour area of Maryport is Cumbria County Council in areas of Maryport that may be defended to a 1.3% standard. There at flood risk in future. Developers is no specific flood warning service. Flooding is primarily tidal from the River Ellen estuary. Flood risk is likely to increase in future as sea levels Proposed actions to The issues in this are predicted to rise significantly by implement the preferred sub-area 2100. By this time, it is anticipated policy that the defence standard will have This sub-area covers the town of reduced significantly and around The essential actions to achieve our Maryport situated on the River 46 properties may be at risk in policy aim are listed below: Ellen estuary on the west coast a 0.5% event. The CFMP must • Develop a long-term plan for of Cumbria. There is flood risk to work closely with the SMP and managing sea level rise in approximately four properties in a determine a long term strategy for conjunction with the findings of 0.5% annual probability tidal event, managing the increase in risk. This the shoreline management plans but this is projected to increase to work indicates that the increase in (Summer 2010) for the over 40 properties at risk by 2100. property numbers that may be at risk communities affected by tidal We currently manage the risks to is limited. As such, it is difficult to flooding. Maryport by maintaining some of recommend building higher defence the river channels. There are formal walls. Consideration must be given • Maintain existing flood defences flood defences at Maryport Harbour to alternative methods of managing in Maryport (primarily maintained maintained by Allerdale Borough the risk around Maryport Harbour. by Allerdale BC). Council. This offers a SoP up to a Over the next 50-100 years, low-lying 1.3% APE. There is currently no areas of Maryport should be adapted • Where localised fluvial or surface flood warning service in Maryport. for lower risk land use and remaining water problems exist or occur at There are also risks from small buildings made more resilient to villages within this sub-area, they tributary watercourses, drainage flooding. should be addressed with an systems and surface water. One appropriate response by emergency response centre is promoting flood resilience at risk. There is one scheduled The key messages measures and/or small scale ancient monument at risk. local works. • Current flood risks are fairly • Work with local planning low as flood defences have authorities to ensure that The vision and recently been constructed around inappropriate development does Maryport Harbour, but flood risk preferred policy not take place in flood risk areas is likely to increase in future due and that where exceptionally, Policy option 3: Areas of low to to climate change. moderate flood risk where we are development is permitted, risks generally managing existing flood • Investigate future management of are adequately mitigated. Run-off risk effectively. tidal flood risks in Maryport, both from new development should be from the Ellen estuary, and from managed to minimise flood risk.

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 23 Sub-area 10

Wampool and Waver

Our key partners are: The issues in this This sub-area covers the catchments of the River Wampool and River Allerdale Borough Council sub-area Waver (excluding Wigton). This includes the villages of Abbeytown, Cumbria County Council This sub-area is predominantly rural, covering the catchments of Kirkbride, Silloth and Waverbridge. Carlisle City Council the River Wampool and River Waver. There are around 222 properties In total, there are approximately at risk in a 1% flood event. Most Natural England 222 properties at risk in a 1% APE of the properties at risk of flooding are in the lowland area to the east Developers in this area. The majority of these are at Silloth although a more of Silloth from small watercourses detailed investigation of flood risk such as Causewayhead Beck. at Silloth would help confirm this Ideally we would aim to create level of risk. Other locations at risk a system with fewer artificial include Abbeytown, Kirkbride and influences and a more natural Waverbridge. We currently manage flooding regime. We will have the risks in this area by maintaining to accept that there will be an some of the river channels. There are increase in flood risk in future due few Environment Agency maintained to climate change, we estimate by raised flood defences in these 2100 350 properties will be at risk catchments although there are four in a 1% event. The internationally land drainage pumping stations at a designated wetland sites may significant annual maintenance cost. benefit from these changes. There is no flood warning service in this area. The railway from Carlisle to Workington is at risk in some The key messages locations. In addition a campsite • The historic expenditure on the is at risk. There are a variety of maintenance of rural designated sites within this area, watercourses should continue to including the South Solway Mosses be reviewed as it may be SAC, Solway Firth SAC, Upper Solway disproportionate to the flood Flats and Marshes Ramsar site and risks. Special Protection Area (SPA), as well as parts of the Solway Coast AONB, • Need to balance the the Lake District National Park and requirements of flood risk Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site. management, agriculture and the environment. The vision and • Aim to work towards a more natural catchment and flooding preferred policy regime. Avoid inappropriate Policy option 2: Areas of low to development in the floodplain. moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk management actions.

24 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Look to reduce maintenance expenditure in this sub-area in future. Review effectiveness of current maintenance works, including the few maintained flood defences and pumping stations. Work with environmental groups and the farming community to investigate future water management in this area.

• Work with local planning authorities to ensure that inappropriate development does not take place in flood risk areas and that where exceptionally, development is permitted, risks are adequately mitigated. Run-off from new development should be managed to minimise flood risk.

• Encourage take-up of Environmental Stewardship grants for more sustainable land management practices. Upstream of Wigton there may be opportunity to reduce run-off to limit flooding in Wigton. In downstream areas this may help reduce expenditure and provide environmental benefits.

Whitrigg Bridge over the River Wampool - Courtesy of the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group

Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan 25 Map of CFMP policies

26 Environment Agency River Derwent Catchment Flood Management Plan

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