Angry residents demanded answers over what is being done to prevent further flooding during a heated meeting in Carlisle last night.

Those who had seen their homes filled with water as a result of Storm Desmond gathered at the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street campus to discuss a draft flood investigation report, which has been produced by the Environment Agency in partnership with Cumbria County Council.

Andy Brown, the Environment Agency’s flood and coastal risk manager for Cumbria and Lancashire, explained that the river levels during last year’s floods were at 7.65m, compared to 7.25m in 2005. 

He also said that defences last year were 600mm higher plus a freeboard – a safety margin that allows for uncertainties.

He also looked at the history of rising river levels but frustrated residents cut in to ask what was being done at present to ensure that the city does not suffer a similar fate once again.

A question from one man, who asked Mr Brown to weigh up the cost of appropriate flood defences against both the emotional and physical impact on residents, was met with an overwhelming round of applause.

Mr Brown said: “It’s important that you provide us with information and data about what the flooding was like. That means that we will be able to analyse what needs to be done ahead of the final report.”

With regards to any new defences, he said: “I cannot promise that we will build lots of new defences by next winter.”

However Dr Stephen Gibbs, chairman of the Carlisle Flood Action Group, criticised Mr Brown’s response, stating that the Environment Agency was not taking the appropriate measures. 

He said: “What many residents have said to me is that they don’t have any confidence in the Environment Agency.

“I don’t understand why we’re not seeking expert advice. They’re asking the people to provide them with data but there are experts in universities out there who could be collecting it to provide a detailed analysis about what needs to be done.

“Like in 2005, it seems that the Environment Agency is just here to ‘have a go’. They have been mismanaging the river for some time now and I fear we’re just putting a sticking plaster over another sticking plaster.”