Cumbria County Council secured £1.5 million funding from the Environment Agency’s ‘Flood Defence Grant in Aid’ fund to deliver the works to alleviate the flooding in Flimby and Maryport.
So far, the flood alleviation programme has successfully completed the following works:
- Diversion of peak flows from Penny Gill to Furnace Gill.
- Remediation works to an existing flood gate adjacent to the A596.
- Upgrading the surface water drainage systems in the residential areas of Coniston Avenue
- Construction of additional dams to slow the flow of water in woodland to the east of Flimby.
On Tuesday 11 April, additional works will begin on the A596 immediately south of Flimby village, and will last for up to five weeks, weather permitting. Work will consist of the replacement of a culvert below the A596 at Bragg Beck.
Due to the nature of the works and to ensure safety of the public and the workforce, during this period the road will be closed for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with work taking place between approximately 7.30am to 6.00pm, each day.
The diversion details for the road closures are as follows:
A596 Southbound vehicles - from Flimby, travel north along the A596 for 2.5km to its junction with the A594 at Netherhall Corner, Maryport; turn right onto the A594 for 9.4km to its junction with the A595 at Belle Vue Roundabout.
Take the third exit on the A595 for 1.4km to its junction with the A66 Fitz Roundabout. Take the third exit on the A66 for 5.75km to its junction with the A595 Chapel Brow Roundabout.
Take the second exit on the A66. Continue on the A66 for 4.0km to Stainburn Roundabout, continue on A66 for 0.8Km to the junction with A596 and turn right onto Bridge Street for 1.6km to the junction with Northside Roundabout, then take the second exit on the A596 for 2.1km, and follow it to Lowca Lane, where the closure ends.
A596 Northbound vehicles - Travel in the reverse direction of the above, taking the appropriate exits off the roundabouts.
Construction works will be completed by local contractor Cubby Construction Ltd, on behalf of Cumbria County Council.
Following the closure of the road, Cumberland Council (who will be the unitary authority for this area from 1 April) will work with multi-agency teams to progress flood alleviation work, so a traffic management system will be in place for several weeks.
If residents or businesses in the area have any questions, they are advised to liaise with the site staff or contact the Highways Hotline at 0300 303 2992, or email A596.flimby@cumbria.gov.uk
In addition to the above culvert replacement, works will also be ongoing to complete the following-
- Construction of a detention basin located in the field to the north of Farmers Way development. It consists of a one-metre-high embankment with controlled outlet and local bank lowering to allow Penny Gill watercourse to spill into the detention basin.
- The basin holds water during peak periods of rain overloading Penny Gill.
- The full diversion (within a culvert) of existing Cat Gill from where it crosses Church Road into Bragg Beck located south of Flimby.
Cumbria County Council would like to thank the community for their continued support and patience while these flood alleviation improvements are made and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
