Reassurance after scaffolding falls off building

The Old Courthouse in Cockermouth has been in a state of disrepair for almost a year

The Environment Agency (EA) has reassured residents after scaffolding fell from a collapsed building into a river.

The Old Courthouse, in Cockermouth, partially collapsed in October and, to date, no physical repair work has been completed.

Concerns were raised after scaffolding fell into the River Cocker last week, as Storm Lillian brought heavy rain and strong winds to the area.

However, the EA said it "should not cause any extra flood risk" and it was assessing options to remove it.

The Old Courthouse collapsed into the River Cocker on 8 October last year, closing Cocker Bridge for two months.

The EA said it anticipated work to remove the scaffolding would start from mid-September.

Scaffolding fell from the Old Courthouse during Storm Lillian

It added it had a contingency plan in place, including a reduced flood warning threshold.

This gives the EA's operational team as much notice as possible to organise sending staff to monitor the area.

It also commissioned a survey of the existing collapsed material to allow modelling of high river flows.

No physical works

The building's owner Samiul Ahmed apologised to the community after concerns were raised during Storm Lilian.

In a statement, Mr Ahmed said he had been in contact with the Environment Agency and Cumberland Council "to work towards an urgent solution" and "remains committed to addressing the Old Courthouse issues".

There has been controversy over the building's repairs, with Cumberland Council serving notices to the building's owner to start works.

Cumberland Council confirmed no physical work had taken place on the building, but stressed it was working behind the scenes to get repairs under way.

"As the building is privately owned, discussions are ongoing with the owner of the property," a Cumberland Council spokesperson said, adding: "We are having to follow a complex legal process."