£5.7 Million Go-Ahead for Flood Defense Works In Keswick
Keswick has the green light from government for a multi-million pound flood defense program.
he £5.7 million project will protect 180 homes from the River Derwent along the Main Street in the town.
The Environment Agency say the scheme will raise the existing flood defences downstream of Greta Bridge and would raise the height of some existing flood walls and embankments on each side of the river.
Initial work to prepare the site will now get underway with construction taking place between April this year and April 2012.
Mountain Rescue team to replace its ambulance fleet
A LAKE District mountain rescue team is raising funds to replace its fleet of three Land Rover Ambulances.
The oldest vehicle in Coniston Mountain Rescue Team’s fleet is 23-years-old and urgently needs replacing and the other two have been in service since 1997.
The team has already been able to place an order for the first new Land Rover Ambulance thanks to generous donations from businesses and charities including Samworth Brothers, Henkel Ltd, the Sir John Fisher Foundation, the Rawdon-Smith Trust, the Frieda Scott Trust and both Cumberland and Furness Building Societies.
Each vehicle requires extensive modification for mountain rescue purposes and costs around £50,000 in total.
The team and its Support Group continues to plan fund raising events and is contacting other grant-giving bodies in an effort to replace the vehicles as soon as possible.
Swimmers Needed For Windermere Challenge
The British Red Cross is appealing for swimmers from the town to join the Red Cross team for The Great North Swim on June 18-19.
The event is a one-mile open-water swim taking place in Lake Windermere – England’s largest natural lake – in the heart of the Lake District.
Max Newton, senior fundraiser at the British Red Cross, said: “The Great North Swim is a truly unique experience.
“Open water swimming has really taken off in the UK since British swimmers won medals and the hearts of the public at the 2008 Athens Olympics. Now there are several open water swims open to the public across the UK, but the Great North Swim was the first and remains the most stunning experience.
“I guarantee everyone who finishes will be left with a fantastic sense of personal achievement for both finishing this amazing swim, and for raising money for the life-saving work of the British Red Cross.
Participants will receive full and comprehensive support with sponsorship, race support from start to finish.
For more information contact Max Newton, of the British Red Cross, on 0114 242 7379 or mnewton@redcross.org.uk
Volunteers sought for damaged Lake District fells
Volunteers are being sought to help repair damage to fells in the Lake District caused by walkers.
The Fix the Fells project is looking for new volunteer “lengthsmen” – a term for someone who looks after local parish rights of way.
They will help clear the pathways, gullies and culverts, improving drainage and reducing erosion to help combat the fells’ wear and tear.
Between two and five volunteers usually work together.
‘Friendly faces’
Lake District National Park Authority volunteer co-ordinator Tim Duckmanton said: “Friendly faces, fresh air and exercise make for an enjoyable experience in a stunning part of the countryside.
“A lot of the volunteers I work with see it as an opportunity to “give something back” to a landscape which has afforded them so much pleasure.”
Fix the Fells is a five-year partnership project run by the Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust and Natural England.
Support and funding is provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Friends of the Lake District and Nurture England.
Fishing rods users may benefit from Lakes initiative
Those bringing their fishing rods with them to the Lake District this year may benefit from an initiative to improve the quality of the water in the Windermere basin.
Enhancements to the marine environment in and around England’s largest lake are among the projects planned in a year that marks 60 years since the national park was formed.
Park Authority chief executive Richard Leafe said 2011 will be a “special year”, despite budget cuts.
This will include transport improvements anglers may benefit from, he noted, stating: “We will see progress with many projects such as a new smart travel card for public transport, the Go Lakes card.”
And there will also be a wide range of events marking the start of the national park’s seventh decade.
Following the National Parks Act of 1949, four such areas were designated in 1951, with the very first being the Peak District.
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