A £24 million project underway in Carlisle will help to improve the city's flood defences.

Faithful+Gould has been appointed, as part of its framework agreement with the Environment Agency, to act as ECC project managers for the second phase of a project which will ensure that the flood damage which happened in 2005 does not recur. Faithful+Gould will be working as part of a team which includes contractors Volker Stevin and both Jacobs and Halcrow which are providing design services.

The project comprises the construction of reinforced concrete and sheet piled defence walls, as well as new embankments at critical locations along the Caldew and Eden rivers.


The scheme also includes the demolition of two existing footbridges and a disused railway bridge and the construction of two new replacement footbridges.

As parts of the project are very close to the city centre and the construction work is in environmentally sensitive areas, there are strong ecological influences on the work in and around the river. Particular attention has been focused on the impact it will have on otters, bats, voles, fish, birds and also plants, all of which must be protected and, where possible, their habitats improved.

Brian Clennell, Associate Director at Faithful+Gould said: "Although still in the very early stages of the project this is a great opportunity for our team to demonstrate our knowledge and understanding of these schemes and ensure that the appropriate measures to control change and unforeseen circumstances are implemented.

"We will be working in close cooperation with the other experienced team members to ensure that this phase comes in on time and within the cost allocated. By adopting a proactive approach to risk management we will be able to provide real added value to the client."

(CD/JM)