Padiham Flood Risk Management Scheme: Upcoming and Completed Works

Introduction

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The Environment Agency, Burnley Borough Council and partners have been working continually since 2017 then to develop proposals for the Padiham Flood Risk Management Scheme. This has included, but has not been limited to, flood modelling, site and ground investigations, environmental assessments, topographic surveys, community and landowner consultations, outline and detailed designs, gaining the necessary permissions for the works and securing further funding to pay for additionally identified work.

Site investigations have taken place over winter-spring 2021 to better inform the understanding of existing walls and old mines in the area. This identified significantly more challenging ground conditions than expected, which has led to further information being required and a second phase of ground investigation works in spring 2022. An understanding as to how this will affect the designs of the flood defences has been required which has impacted the design period. The Environment Agency have been working closely with specific landowners through this process.

Due to these issues, and the subsequent impact of the design process timeframe, the Environment Agency have identified sections of works that can be completed as permitted development rather than those that require formal planning permission. The Environment Agency have started on these areas first.

Gravel is monitored under Padiham Bridge (River Calder) and at Shakespeare Street Bridge (Green Brook) against agreed trigger levels for removal. Clearance has and will continue to take place as required at these locations when the trigger levels are reached.

Completed Works

Bendwood Estate

Construction works to the rear of Bendwood Estate were completed in April 2024. This consists of a new flood defence wall, in front of the existing retaining wall along the right-hand bank of the River Calder.

A cross sectional image shows the proposed flood defence wall alongside the existing garden wall at Bendwood Estate.

The new flood wall includes several non-return values to improve the drainage of the area whilst maintaining the ability to hold back flood waters.

The Environment Agency have also installed a new flood gate, which will remain closed at all times.

Grey wall along the back of some houses, looking upstream towards a footbridge.

New grey wall along the riverbank with wooden fence panels behind and a block of flats

Town Hall-State of the Nation Wall

The works on the existing flood defence wall, to the rear of Padiham Town Hall are now complete. The previous wall along the right bank of the River Calder between Padiham Bridge and Station Road Bridge was built in 2015 and had a low level of flood protection which would continue to reduce with the impacts of climate change. The Environment Agency have now completed improvement works on the wall, increasing its height to provide an increased standard of protection to Padiham Town Centre.

Proposed plan for Padiham Town Hall works. Click here to download the proposed plan.

Cross section of the Town Hall proposals alongside 3 images. Image 1 shows the previous red-brick wall with black handrail running along the top. Image 2 shows an artist impression of the new wall, still in red brick. Image 3 shows the completed wall, still in red brick but much higher.

Diagrams showing the previous, proposed and completed works to the rear of Padiham Town Hall

Red brick wall with grey coping stones. Newly surfaced road with parking bays and double yellow lines marked out. Trees and Blue sky in the background.

Photo of completed State of the Nation Wall

Please click here to view the video with accessible audio

Drone footage showing the completed flood defence wall behind Padiham Town Hall

Next 6 Months

Main Scheme

Property Flood Resilience Works

The Environment Agency have begun the engagement with residents on the delivery of Property Flood Resilience measures. These measures will be installed alongside the proposed flood wall.

They have engaged with residents through letter drops, face-to-face meetings and public drop-in sessions. The take up has been very successful and the measures should be installed by September 2026.

: Photos of recent community meetings held in Padiham, January 2026.

: Photos of recent community meetings held in Padiham, January 2026.

: Photos of recent community meetings held in Padiham, January 2026.

Further work planned for the next 6 months:

Continuing to work with Lancashire County Council and Burnley Borough Council on addressing the conditions attached to the planning permission.
Continue to develop the Full Business Case for Padiham, allowing us to move forward with main scheme construction.
Continue to engage with the community, providing regular updates on the scheme as it progresses.

Construction Works

Preparing for Construction

There are several locations where preparatory works are needed before construction can begin. All the working areas need to be free from utility services and street furniture, such as seating, bins and street lighting, before construction can begin. This requires preparations to be agreed with the service providers to divert or undertake removal and relocation works.

Some of the relocation and service diversion works may require road or footpath closures and diversions.

Minimising construction noise & dust

Unfortunately, some noise and dust will be created by the construction. However, the Environment Agency will monitor and manage noise, vibration, and dust levels and will work to reduce any impact on homes, businesses, public areas, and the natural environment wherever possible.

Several monitoring techniques will be used and there will be a range of measures to provide visual screening, which will assist with reducing noise and dust levels.

To manage any debris on the roads, created by construction traffic, cleaning of the carriageway will be undertaken by a road sweeper or similar, as appropriate.

Working Hours

The working hours approved through planning permission are 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. There is no current expectation to work on weekends or public holidays.

The Flood Hub