A SERIES of community drop-in events looking at the short list of preferred options for future flood risk management begin this month.

The sessions are part of the appraisal process, to identify the best ways of investing up to £72 million the government allocated to Cumbria for improved flood defences following storms Desmond and Eva in 2015.

Following on from the community events in summer 2017, when residents had the opportunity to see the long list of options for future flood risk management at drop-in sessions and online, the Environment Agency is holding 15 events based on the three river catchments in the county, to share the short list of refined options.

Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager, Andy Brown said: “Over the past two years we have been working to identity the best way to use this investment to protect communities. This has included re-examining the river systems in Cumbria.

“We have been carrying out modelling to find the right locations and schemes for those communities where additional defences are proven based on strong scientific evidence to provide better flood risk management and resilience.

“We shared the long list of options with communities in summer of 2017. Now, we are returning to these communities with a shorter list of refined options, to make the decision on which options to take forward.

“We strongly encourage residents to come along to the sessions. We are providing people with opportunities to bring local knowledge and to share their views.”

The drop-in sessions in South Lakeland and Eden will be held at the following venues between 2pm and 7pm.

February 1, Appleby Public Hall; February 7, Kendal Town Hall; February 8, Staveley Village Hall; February 27, Ambleside Library; March 6, Marchesi Centre, Windermere; March 14, Outback Hall, Leven Valley Primary School.