Carlisle Floods - Cathy Newbery

Carlisle experienced devastating flooding to over 1,800 properties and businesses in January 2005.  The largest Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) in the NW, totaling £38 million, now protects the city.

Whilst the main aim of the FAS is to protect residents and businesses from future flooding, The Environment Agency also had the opportunity to improve riverside cycleways/footpaths and habitats for wildlife conservation. 

Art on the walls
Local people were involved in the overall look of the flood defences and through working with artists a riverside trail was developed. The trail focuses upon six themes;

Flooding,  The river, Nature & wildlife, Places of interest, Trade & Transport

40 stories are visually depicted in plaques created by the artists. Every plaque is made of brightly coloured enamel and looks like a jewel in the floodwall; each has a unique tale to tell.

Artists
Liam Curtin was lead artist on the scheme he worked with 4 local artists and various communities in Carlisle.  His own designs show the roof top details and towers visible from different parts of Carlisle. 

Alison White has illustrated the wildlife and nature special to the river corridor and some historic events involving animals e.g. horse racing on the Swifts. She worked with special interest groups such as the angling associations to select the content. 

Paul Taylor met with local residents to discuss the trade and industry in the area. This was the strongest request from early consultation that the diverse industrial history of the area be recorded in the artwork. 

Pip Hall worked with poet Jacob Polley and Brownies & Scouts in the area, to produce water-related poems. Jacob wrote 4 poems and the groups another 4 through workshops. Pip then designed the visual format relating to the words. 

David Boyd focused on the organisations who were involved in the flood rescue/support for the community, to give a thought for them and their essential involvement, including: Fire Brigade, Salvation Army, Great North Air Ambulance, Red Cross, Coast guard, Radio Cumbria, Churches Together and Careline.

Coins
A limited edition commemorative coin of one of the plaques depicting the buildings of Carlisle protected by the castle wall was created and presented to all those who helped on the project. 

Railings

Alan Dawson Associates, specialist artist metalwork, created new railings for gaps in the old floodwall to enable viewing of the river and make interesting features for the public using the route. The design also has to solve access issues for maintenance of the river corridor for the Environment Agency. 

The main inspiration was the Cities Railway Heritage and more directly with the freight rail element, as this was prevalent in this area. Images of signal box levers, engine motive parts, tracks, signals, and crossing gates have been selected and used to provide designs for stanchion uprights and some infill. 

You can follow the trail to explore and uncover the history and local stories for the rivers Eden, Petteril and Caldew. Leaflets are available from Tourist Information. 

Address
Sylcote, Torpenhow, Wigton, CA7 1JF

Telephone
016973 71054

Website
www.cathynewbery.co.uk

Email
cathy@cathynewbery.co.uk