Cockermouth flooding to be discussed at crunch meeting

Flooding in Cockermouth will be discussed at a meeting this evening, six months after the town's defences were overtopped during Storm Desmond.

A report by Cumbria County Council and the Environment Agency says that 446 properties were flooded when water from the Rivers Cocker and Derwent "overwhelmed" defences in a number of locations.

Among its recommendations is a call to consider increasing the flow of water through Gote Bridge, and identifying a way to trap debris upstream of the town to avoid causing a critical obstruction.

It also recommends that the Environment Agency review the performance of flood defence schemes under Victoria Road Bridge, and at Waterloo Street, the Trout Hotel car park, Gote Road, Derwentside Gardens and Derwent Mills.