Work on the Carlisle flood defence scheme will start in 2006

The Environment Agency says the work will come ahead of construction starting next year on the flood defence scheme for Carlisle.

Hundreds of businesses and properties were affected by the floods which swept through the county in January.

The work to strengthen defences will be carried out in Carlisle, Keswick, Appleby, Penrith and Kendal.

Agency flood risk manager for Cumbria Glyn Vaughan said: "We'll be doing some work to improve the resilience of the existing defences this summer and autumn.

Trigger levels

"In Carlisle this will include improving the protection offered by the River Eden embankments on the eastern side of Carlisle and extending the flood banks on the River Petteril at Melbourne Park."

The full flood defence scheme for the city will start in 2006 with the Warwick Road area, but Mr Vaughan said they wanted to take the opportunity to make small-scale, localised improvements.

The second phase of the Carlisle scheme, covering Willowholme, Caldewgate, Shaddongate and the city centre will start in 2008.

In Carlisle, the Agency has also temporarily revised some of the trigger levels at which flood warnings are issued, so the levels that rivers must reach to mean a flood warning have been lowered.

The lower levels will stay in place until building work has finished.