Phase 2: Walton-le-Dale | The Flood Hub

Overview

Phase 2 of the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme focuses on strengthening flood defences along the River Ribble in Walton-le-Dale and key sections of the River Darwen, including Chorley Road and off Higher Walton Road. Across Phase 2 of the Flood Scheme work is also underway to assess the condition of existing assets and undertake maintenance where necessary to extend their design life.

Following a recent public consultation, the proposals are now progressing through the planning process with South Ribble Borough Council. If approved, this phase will reduce flood risk for local communities across Walton-le-Dale and help mitigate the future impact of climate change.

Planning Application

A planning application for Phase 2 of the Scheme is due to be submitted to South Ribble Borough Council later this year, for the works to take place at Victoria Road, Blue Bridge and Chorley Road alongside applications for notices of permitted development for the other construction works within Phase 2.

The feedback received from the public consultation will be included as part of the planning application within a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). The SCI will summarise the activity undertaken throughout the public consultation by the Environment Agency and will collate the feedback received from the public and stakeholders.

Timeline

Construction for Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and is expected to be completed by winter 2027.

Construction Areas

Ribble Crescent

The works at Ribble Crescent and other nearby side streets along Victoria Road will raise the height of the existing flood defence wall by approximately 0.5m. Glass panels will be installed on top of the existing flood defences to achieve the additional height. The proposals also include work to the Victoria Road viewing platform, where the height of the flood wall will be increased along with wider refurbishments of the viewing platform.

A visualisation of the proposals for Ribble Crescent

Victoria Road

Along Victoria Road, the existing flood defence wall will be replaced with a new wall, increasing the height of the defences by approximately 0.3m. The new flood defence wall has been designed with large foundations to allow for future height increases.

18 of the 21 Lime trees on the river side of the existing wall will need to be removed to enable construction works. The Environment Agency is currently exploring ways to preserve the legacy of the lime trees, this includes taking 180 cuttings, which will be propagated before replanting elsewhere in the community. The three lime trees located by the Victoria Road viewing platform do not interfere with the works and will therefore be retained.

More details on the lime trees can be found here.

A visualisation of the proposals for Victoria Road

Blue Bridge

A flood embankment, up to 1m high, will be constructed along a farm access track, next to the public footpath to Blue Bridge, off Higher Walton Road. This embankment will enhance flood protection for Walton-le-Dale by reducing the risk of flooding along Higher Walton Road.

To facilitate these works a satellite compound will be required; more details around this will be shared once the construction methodology has been finalised.

A visualisation of the proposals for Blue Bridge

Chorley Road

The existing brick wall to the rear of the properties on Chorley Road will be removed and replaced with a reinforced flood defence wall. The new flood defence wall will be up to 0.7m tall and will be clad in brick, with a wooden fence installed on top for privacy and security.

Where the change in height required to meet the flood defence level is small, a HGV standard kerb will be used to tie the new flood defence wall into the surrounding high ground.

A visualisation of the proposals for Chorley Road

King’s Croft and Calvert Court

The flood defences will be raised by up to 0.2m through the installation of a new larger coping on the flood walls and a bried capping beam on the embankment.

Contact

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Disclaimer

Information on the Preston and South Ribble (PSR) pages has been provided by the Environment Agency and was correct at the time of upload. The Flood Hub is not responsible for any information held on the PSR pages. If you have any queries, please see the Contact section of this page.