October 4 2024: Environment Agency update on the Old Courthouse, Cockermouth
"Since the initial collapse of the Old Courthouse building in Cockermouth in October 2023, we have continued to work with Cumberland Council to help ensure the risk of flooding to the community is managed as best as possible.
"The owner of the building is responsible for the condition of the building and not obstructing the river channel. The material that has collapsed into the river has resulted in a small increase in the risk of flooding. Using our discretionary powers to carry out works to reduce flood risk we have put in demountable defences located in the doorways on the Main Street side of the building, to help prevent flow routes through the building resulting in flooding of properties.
"Over the next two weeks our contractor will remove the scaffolding that has fallen into the river from the building as there is a risk this could cause blockage and flooding to properties in Cockermouth. This is challenging to do due the unsafe nature of the building. We are also assessing whether to deploy further temporary defence measures to help protect against the risk of flooding to the community.
" The building remains vulnerable to further collapse, particularly with the likelihood of increased heavy rainfall events and storms during the autumn and winter period. We will continue to maintain our contingency measures and our Field Operations team remain ready to respond to help protect the community in Cockermouth from flooding in the event of any significant wet weather."
April25 2024: It was revealed that Sellafield has become involved in background
work to resolve the Old Courthouse collapse issue. And detailed contracts are
already being drawn up.
The information came out during heated exchanges at Cockermouth Town Council's
annual public hearing on April25 2024.
Cumberland councillor Helen Tucker was among those at the annual Cockermouth
Town Council public meeting. She was asked by Mr Jim Hully “When will Cocker
bridge re-open?”
She replied: “There is a lot going on in the background that have legal
implications so it is limited what I can say in public or even in private. That
whole site as you know is owned and there are many different agencies involved.
It is a Listed building. The river Cocker is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
It is a privately owned building so we have to get permission to go in. We have
to deal with the Environment Agency, we have to deal with Historic England.
Getting all those things in place..that has now happened. There are considerations
on flood defences. Whatever the council puts in place for clearance of the site
, not demolition of the front, but demolition at the back If anything goes into
the river, for example while working from a pontoon bridge, anything going ionto
the water has to be able to be cleared within eight hours. If a flood alert
we have to make sure the river is clear.
It is a complex jigsaw. What has been finalised now ….the agreement for
project management support from Sellafield has been finalised, the design and
contractor has been procured. Project design is being finalised and discussed
with the Environment agency and Natural England taking in ecology advice.
But as to date for reopening bridge she added: “Who knows. But project
management is in place. There is waiting for the weather, the bridge can't reopen
until the building is made safe.”
Also fielding questions was Cumberland councillor Andy Sample: “I would
have it open tomorrow if it was down to me but neither Helen nor I are experts
on bridge safety. It is in the hands of the officers and we have confidence
in the officers.”
The Mayor, Julie Laidlow said “We invited both the Leader, councillor Fryer
and the officers involved to come tonight but none bothered to attend.”
After the meeting Coun. Tucker confirmed to myself that a legal notice had been
served on the owner of the building which required him to ensure steps were
taken to protect and make safe the structure and if the owner fails to carry
out the work then the council is obliged to do the work and then charge the
owner with the cost of the work. She said : “A charge would be put on the
building.”
The owner of the building Samiul Ahmed has stated that in 2023 after he acquired
the property he tried to initiate work to stabilise it but was prevented by
objections/requirements from the Environment Agency and others bodies.
Report by: Dave Siddall, www.cockermouth.org.uk