Policy paper

Ulverston flood risk management scheme

Published 16 October 2013

Applies to England

1. Identifying the causes of flooding in Ulverston

Ulverston is at risk of flooding from the Town Beck and Dragley Beck. The town is also at risk from surface water and sea flooding during high tides.

2. History of flooding in Ulverston

Significant floods occurred in 1890, 2009 and most recently in 2012 when roads and a hospice were affected. Although there are existing defences on the rivers that flow through Ulverston, there is still a risk of flooding to people and businesses.

3. Working in partnership

The Environment Agency is working with Cumbria County Council to find a solution to flooding from the Town Beck. They continue to work together to identify ways of reducing flood risk from the Dragley Beck.

4. The solution: flood walls along Town Beck

The Environment Agency plan to construct a series of flood walls along the Town Beck. These improvements will reduce the risk of flooding to over 500 houses and businesses. Before work starts, the Environment Agency need to refurbish the culverted (underground) sections of Town Beck to allow the new flood defences to work effectively once built. The Environment Agency will amend the scheme design and secure additional funds for the work.

Construction will begin in 2014 and is expected to be completed in late 2015.

5. Cost of the scheme

The total cost of the Ulverston scheme is £4 million (including the culvert refurbishment).

6. Contacts

For information about the Ulverston flood risk scheme contact the Environment Agency by emailing louis.antoine@environment-agency.gov.uk or call Louis on 01768 215862.