River Caldew / Carlisle City Flood Alleviation Scheme
Clients: Axis PED / Environment Agency
Following the devastating flooding in Carlisle City in 2006, improving the city’s flood defences was a top priority of the Environment Agency. The River Eden and its tributaries is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), designated under European legislation, demanding a particularly careful approach to the ecological impacts of the scheme. Argus Ecology worked closely with the Agency from an early stage, assessing the ecological implications of different options, and commissioning or carrying out specialist surveys in order to assess impacts on SAC interest features. This included lamprey surveys using electro-fishing, otter surveys, and bat surveys of riverside trees. Our involvement continued through the construction phase, when we were able to provide a callout service to deal with any additional issues as they arose.
Inspection of sand martin habitat.