The Environment Agency will begin site preparation works from Monday, August 17, following the completion of a high and low voltage cable diversion by Electricity North West Limited (ENWL) and BT cable diversion carried out by Openreach.
Once complete, the scheme is expected to improve flood protection for more than 1,920 homes and 2,250 businesses, while also bringing environmental improvements through landscaping and the planting of native trees and seeds.
Early work along Aynam Road will include riverside surveys followed by the removal of tarmac and footpath surfaces to prepare the area for piling and wall construction.
The riverside vehicle lane between Miller Bridge and Nether Bridge will form an “essential part of the work area” where the Environment Agency’s contractor VolkerStevin will construct the new flood wall.
To protect the public and the workforce, the riverside vehicle lane closure along Aynam Road has been reinstated today (Tuesday, August 11).
The closure also affects the riverside footpath, with pedestrians being directed to the pavement on the opposite side of the road.
Jennings Footbridge and the pedestrian crossing will remain open.
A Sonic Rig will also be used near Nether Bridge to test ground conditions. Because of limited space at the location, drivers will be unable to turn right on to the bridge from Aynam Road for one week from Monday, September 7.
A diversion route will be in place.
Zohel Ali, Environment Agency project manager for Aynam Road, said: “Aynam Road is the final section of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme in the centre of Kendal.
“This is a significant milestone in delivering better protection for local people and businesses from the impact of flooding in the future.
“We are grateful to the public for their patience, as this is a complex area which has required the movement of a number of key utilities, including a high voltage electricity line and telephone cables.”
The flood wall will be built on piled foundations where needed, with piling work due to start in October.
A Continuous Flight Auger piling method is planned, which uses a corkscrew-style auger to drill into the ground. The Environment Agency said the approach was suitable for residential and sensitive areas because it produces low levels of noise and vibration.
Once in place, the wall will be clad in natural stone, and sections of the flood wall will be topped with glass panels with lower sections of wall in the vicinity of Miller Bridge and Nether Bridge topped with railings, maintaining the views of the river.
Construction of the flood defences is scheduled to finish before summer 2028, although planting and landscaping could continue into early summer.
Courtesy of The Westmorland Gazette | North Lancs