HUNDREDS of homes and properties in Ulverston will be protected when a seven-month flood prevention project is completed.

Over 28 weeks, the Environment Agency will work to repair and upgrade a decades-old culvert running underneath Buxton Place car park in Ulverston.

By late 2017 this work - part of the Ulverston Town Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme - will see homes and businesses better protected from flooding.

Three phases of work will take place over the 28 weeks to repair the culvert, which runs between Buxton Mews and Union Street in the car park behind Fountain Street. Floodgates will also be installed in Little Union Street.

Ulverston mayor Mark Wilson said the town council and the EA had consulted with residents to find the best approach to tackling flooding in the town.

He said: "Following a meeting with the EA, the town council spoke to the residents, particularly about the floodgates. We're pleased to find that the residents were in agreement with the EA. They are happy that the work is being done and that it offers them some protection."

As a result of the Town Beck FAS, 407 homes and 118 businesses will benefit from better flood protection.

On Monday February 27 the first stage of the project will begin. It will see the beck diverted, allowing engineers to begin repairs. This is expected to take nine weeks, as 32 metres of new structural lining is installed inside the culvert.

During the 28 weeks, the car park will remain open, but two entrances will be closed to traffic. The entrances in Little Union Street, and adjacent the Northern Line shop will be for pedestrians only.

Concerns have been raised about what would happen if there was any risk of flooding during the work, but an EA spokesman said: "Measures will be put in place to mitigate the impact on flows in the channel during temporary works, meaning there will be no increase in risk of flooding to any properties, either in the immediate vicinity or elsewhere in the town."

Once the first phase has been completed, work will begin around April to replace the Buxton Place bridge in the car park, and replace it with a reinforced steel.

The final 15 weeks of the project will see the remainder of the culvert under Beckside Court and Union Street reinforced. It is at this time the northern exit of the car park on to Fountain Street will reopen.

To safeguard other areas of Ulverston the EA will be working on projects at The Ellers and in south Ulverston, near Lund Terrace.

An EA spokesman confirmed that all work planned was on schedule, and disruption should end by October this year.

He said: "Works are still programmed to be completed by October 2017. As always, we are subject to weather related delays and other influences beyond our control."

A drop in session on Tuesday March 14 between 10am and noon will be held at the Coronation Hall to keep residents updated on the project.

Regular updates can be found at www.townbeckfas.co.uk.

Read more about flooding in Ulverston:

Humans remains were unearthed during work on a flood alleviation scheme

A beloved nursery has been forced to close its doors after the threat of flooding was too great

Town councillors have vowed to ensure Ulverston is not forgotten over flood funding