RESIDENTS in Carlisle will be able to sleep a little easier after another flood defence scheme was completed

The Environment Agency has revealed that the Bitts Park area of the Carlisle Flood Risk Management Scheme is now operational.

A spokesman for the EA said: "Flood embankments have been grass seeded and new trees have been planted.

"All footpaths & access routes into the park are now re-open ready for the community to enjoy this Summer."

The work had previously forced the closure of the area's car park for several months between Tuesday, August 4 and March 31 this year.

The work was part of the Carlisle Flood Risk Management Scheme Phase 2. The plan was unveiled following the devastation caused by Storm Desmond in December 2015.

Construction was due to finish in April this year, but the Covid-19 pandemic has caused some delays in the projects competition.

The scheme will reduce flood risk to 50 residential homes and a further 33 properties including the Sands Centre and Civic Centre.

Also benefitig will be the Hardwicke Circus area, Castle Way, and the A7 over the Eden Bridge, which will provide more resilience to Carlisle's key transport routes.

The Environment Agency constructed an entirely new flood defence wall in the east of Bitts Park, raised the existing wall - which runs behind the subway entrance - by 04 metres and the flood defence embankment was raised by 0,5m and extended at the Castle End to tie in with the Bitts Park boundary wall.

The existing wall at the west side was renovated and waterproofed to create a short flood defence wall, and the boundary wall from Bitts Park enterance to the corner adjacent to Castle Way was replaced.

Cllr Keith Little, cabinet member for flood management at Cumbria County Council, was delighted the work had been completed.

He said: "It is absolutely great news. It should make a tremendous difference to that area of Carlisle.

"It has been a lot of work. As a county council we are delighted that the Environment Agency have taken on the project.

"I'm sure the people of Carlisle will be much happier. It's been going on for 18 months now, and it looks good.

"It's quite a bit of substantial work, it should make a real difference to the people of Carlisle."

Phase 2 of the scheme will form a continuous line of flood defences, extending from the playing fields of Trinity School in the East to the high ground of the Castle in the west.

It will include almost 1,000 metres of flood defences for the city, consisting of a combination of flood walls, embankments, flood gates and raised roads.