Work has started on a new pumping station as part of the flood risk work in the town.
The Environment Agency and contractor VolkerStevin have began work on the Doomgate Beck Pumping Station.
Work is continuing on the new outfall structure and installation of the site compound.
Work within Broad Close car park is due to start on September 16.
The Environment Agency said when completed, the scheme will better protect 64 properties and infrastructure from flooding, including road access to homes and businesses.
While construction work is ongoing within Broad Close car park, the parking spaces will be partially closed for public safety. However, 10 spaces will still be available until the opening of the temporary car park at the former Edenside Care Home.
The Environment Agency is working with the Oaklea Trust, a local charity, to use the Edenside site as a free temporary car park following demolition of the existing building.
Work on the demolition has now started and will take around eight weeks. Following completion of the demolition, work to create the free temporary car park on this site will take a further five weeks. The free temporary car park is due to be open from mid-November.
To ensure the project remains on schedule and to avoid construction taking place over two further summer holiday periods, work at Broad Close is starting two months ahead of the free temporary car park being open.
The closure of Broad Close car park has been carefully considered to take account of the end of the school holiday period and to avoid disruption as much as possible, the Environment Agency said.
A letter has been sent to homes and businesses in the area and is available on the Appleby Flood Hub page.
The scheme will reduce the risk of flooding from the Doomgate Culvert, providing improved protection to homes and businesses around High Wiend, Low Wiend and Bridge Street, along with Holme Street, Chapel Street and Doomgate, as well as local infrastructure – including roads providing access to homes and businesses.
Environment Agency area flood manager, Richard Knight said: “We are making every effort to minimise the time we will be working in Appleby to deliver this flood risk management scheme, ensuring we are not building the scheme over the next two summers. We have carefully considered this to accommodate the end of the school holiday period, minimising our impact on the town where possible.
“We are grateful for the understanding and patience of the public. Our original aim was to have the free temporary car park in place before work began at Broad Close, and closure of the car park. However, it is due to be open in November ahead of the busy Christmas period.
“Over the period of the new pumping station’s lifespan, we estimate this scheme will save in the region of £21 million in damages caused by flooding as well as the distress and disruption experienced by business owners and residents who could experience future flooding.”
