Flood defence work halted for horse fair

2 hours ago

Jonny ManningNorth East and Cumbria

News image — The River Eden is liable to flood near Appleby in Cumbria

Appleby Emergency Response Group Severe flooding at Jubilee Bridge in Appleby. There is a road sign reading Ford, road liable to flooding. The water is a muddy brown colour with fallen leaves floating on the surface. A footbridge is in the distance with the bottom of its staircase submerged. — The River Eden is liable to flood near Appleby in Cumbria

Work to build new flood defences will be paused while an annual gathering takes place.

The Environment Agency (EA) said it was halting construction of its local flood scheme between 1 and 9 June during the Appleby Horse Fair, which takes place in the Cumbrian town.

Security will be put in place at construction sites and concrete barriers installed at their entrances, while the temporary Edenside Car Park will be closed during the event.

EA project manager Ross McKeown said the closures would not delay the overall construction, but claimed: "With so many visitors coming to the town and the scale of the works taking place, it is essential we pause our works."

The Appleby Flood Risk Management Scheme has been designed to protect 64 properties and local roads.

PA Media People congregate around the River Eden, with some riding horses through the water, during the Appleby Horse Fair. The river is shallow with a two-arch stone bridge in the distance, beyond which are lots of trees thick with leaves. — The Appleby Horse Fair is attended by thousands of people each year

The work is being carried out by Volker Stevin, which found the main source of flooding was caused by water backing up in the Doomsgate culvert when there were high levels on the River Eden.

To prevent this, the company is building a new pumping station on the culvert.

This year's Appleby Horse Fair will take place between 4 and 10 June.

It is one of the biggest events in the Gypsy and traveller calendar and sees tens of thousands of people flock to the town to take part or observe.

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