A £3.3 million flood defence scheme in Kendal has today been transferred by South Lakeland District Council to the Environment Agency.

Ownership and responsibility of the Stock Beck Flood Relief Scheme is to be transferred to the Environment Agency. But flood storage land will be retained by the council for grazing purposes.

The handover represents a successful conclusion for SLDC in relation to Stock Beck following flooding in 1999.

As a result of substantial pressure from the council, Government funding was secured for the flood relief scheme, and the council developed and built the current dam and flood control works.

The transfer follows a testing and operation period and detailed discussions with the EA.

The project was completed in 2007 and has reduced the threat of flooding to the 140 properties above and 170 properties below the scheme.

The flood defence has been tested over a series years and has proved extremely successful. There has been no flooding recorded despite the frequent deluges experienced around South Lakeland in subsequent years, and following the devastating rainfall in 2009.

Coun Sue Sanderson, portfolio holder for Environment and People, said: “Stock Beck will continue to provide important flood protection to homes in Kendal. For the council this is the final piece of the jigsaw, from initially proposing the scheme to obtaining the funding for the final development.

“In agreeing to transfer the land and the operation of Stock Beck this is a great result for residents and the council.”