In-river works progress on the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme
With the start of July marking the opening of the permitted in-river working window, the Kendal flood Risk Management team and Waitings have mobilised quickly to commence scour protection works and gravel removal within the River Kent at Gooseholme, Kendal.
Taking advantage of the current spell of favourable weather and low river levels, the project team has made strong progress in delivering these critical activities. Despite the operational challenges typically associated with working in a live river environment, the works have advanced efficiently and safely, helping to maintain momentum across the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme.
The programme for these activities is tightly governed by environmental constraints. The River Kent is designated as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which limits in-river construction activities to specific periods of the year. These restrictions are designed to minimise impacts on sensitive habitats and protected species while allowing essential flood risk management works to be undertaken.
By making the most of this limited construction window, the teams are delivering key river works in accordance with environmental requirements, supporting the scheme's wider objective of enhancing flood resilience for the Kendal community while protecting the ecology of the river.
