The launch of the flood scheme, which is designed to protect more than 800 homes and local businesses from flooding, was marked by a sod cutting ceremony yesterday.
Construction work on phase 1 of the flood scheme in Close Park, Dumers Lane and Morris Street is now underway. To celebrate the significant developments, the Environment Agency and Bury Council carried out a sod cutting ceremony on Thursday 4th July, to mark progression into the main construction of the first phase.
The £40million scheme is a part of the Environment Agency’s programme of £2.6 billion investment into flood defences across the country and it will be delivered in two parts. As well as protecting more than 800 homes and local businesses from flooding, it will also help keep transport routes and infrastructure open during times of flood, maintaining vital links in an area that was severely affected by flooding in December 2015.
The formal start to the first phase of the scheme was coupled with a guided walk of the site where the flood defences will eventually be placed. Once completed, this phase of the scheme, will see a 2.5m flood wall built at the rear of properties in Parkside Close, and a 3m-high earth embankment on the far side of the park with football pitches acting as a natural floodplain. Also new wildlife habitat and increased amenity areas for the public will also be created in Close Park.
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