Tree ‘crown lifting’ work done on Kendal flood defence scheme

The Environment Agency has confirmed tree surgeons have finished work in areas where construction is due to begin.

This vital process involves selected, lower, overgrown branches on a tree being removed.

These are typically the branches that pose a risk to either pedestrian access or to the tree’s overall health.

Additionally, the pruning keeps the tree free of lower, older and damaged branches, therefore allowing the higher, well-lit branches to flourish.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency provided more detail on the procedure, stating: "We commissioned tree surgeons to carry out a procedure called crown lifting on several trees in the areas where work is due to take place on the Kendal Flood Scheme.

"The work involves removing lower branches of the tree that interfere with pedestrian access.

"The crown lifting will allow construction to take place without harming the health of the tree.

"The work is being carried out now, during the winter months when there are no leaves on the trees, which makes the procedure safer and more accurate."

Upon completion, the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme will be better equipped to protect 1,480 homes and 1,151 businesses from potential flooding in Kendal and the wider Kent Catchment area.

Further details about this extensive scheme can be found online at www.thefloodhub.co.uk/kendal or by downloading the VolkerStevin Engage App, which is free to download for iPhone and Android phones.

The Kendal Flood Risk Management scheme represents significant investment in the protection of homes, business and infrastructure from flood damage.

Kendal is the first area to feel the benefits, with the scheme set to be extended to Burneside, Staveley, Ings, and other upstream-facing locations soon.

This vital project is receiving £5.34 million of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.