CONSTRUCTION work on 114 metres of flood defence along Kendal’s River Kent will begin this week. It is part of the controversial £76m flood scheme that the Environment Agency (EA) says will reduce the risk of flooding to 1,480 homes and 1,100 homes across the river’s catchment area. The EA says a ‘small number’ of trees will need removing to accommodate the work, with others needing to be cut back. “Before work began, as well as a survey to identify any nesting birds, a tree assessment was carried out to identify and record all trees and woodlands which could be affected by these works,” said an EA spokeswoman.