A CRUCIAL section of Carlisle’s Flood Risk Management Scheme has been completed this week.

The phase of flood improvements benefitting Bitts Park was completed by the Environment Agency this week, the works included raising existing defences and the creation of new flood walls.

Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency joined Carlisle City Council members in a tour of the site on Wednesday to see the completed works, which are hailed as amongst the highest standard defences in the country.

The new flood wall and raised embankments are set to provide additional protection to more than 80 Carlisle properties. The Environment Agency has said its new defences are "water tight" and "winter ready."

Carlisle experienced devastating flooding in 2005 and again in 2015, not only that, the Environment Agency has recently published a new stark warning about the impacts of climate change – making the works all the more important.

Phase three will involve Caldew Denton Holme and Willow Holme.

Carlisle City Councillor Paul Nedved said: "This was the most crucial one in many respects because it protects the city centre.

"The scheme is very impressive there's a lot of hard work by a lot of people to get it this far. It's been a partnership between Carlisle City council, Cumbria County Council, the Environment Agency, United Utilities and various stakeholders to get us to this stage."

Efforts are taking place further afield to make sure residents are protected against flooding in the future.

"This is only one scheme of many around the city but countywide as well. Plans are being worked on for Crosby and Eden, these are absolutely crucial schemes going forward as well."

Sir James was appointed chief executive of the Environment Agency a matter of weeks before Storm Desmond hit Carlisle, isolating residents and cutting off power to properties.

Cllr Nedved said: "So he has a particular vested interest in seeing this scheme being developed and brought to fruition."

Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said: “I am delighted that another key milestone in the Carlisle flood scheme has been completed and is now ready to protect homes and business from flooding this winter.

“It is vital that every effort is made to become more resilient to the effects that the climate emergency is having on our local towns, cities and communities.

“That’s why the Environment Agency is investing a record £5.2 billion in 2,000 new flood and coastal defences to better protect 336,000 properties across England by 2027. But we cannot do this alone.

“Alongside partners like Carlisle City Council, we will continue to worth with others to help communities adapt to more extreme weather and increasing sea levels we are experiencing.