Preston & South Ribble: About the Scheme NEW

Introduction to the Scheme

The Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme begins at Broadgate in Preston, follows the River Ribble upstream into Walton-le-Dale, and continues along the River Darwen upstream as far as the Blue Bridge, off Higher Walton Road.

The Environment Agency and its partners are working together to deliver the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme. The Scheme will provide flood risk mitigation and help protect around 5,000 residential properties and businesses.

In addition to improving flood resilience, the Scheme incorporates measures to address climate change, deliver environmental enhancements, and support growth and regeneration in the surrounding areas.

The Scheme is divided into two phases, as shown on the map below. Construction of Phase 1 is progressing well. Most of the new flood defences along Broadgate and Riverside in Preston, as well as those in Lower Penwortham, are now complete. Only two short sections, one along Riverside and another near the entrance to Miller Park, remain under construction.

A public consultation on Phase 2 of the Scheme has recently concluded. This phase includes raising and improving flood defences along the River Ribble in Walton-le-Dale, as well as short sections on Chorley Road and off Higher Walton Road along the River Darwen. The Environment Agency and Partners will also be doing maintenance works in Frenchwood. The proposals are expected to be submitted to South Ribble Borough Council for consideration through the planning process in autumn 2025.

Map overview of the scheme

Preston & South Ribble design and benefits guide

For a complete overview of the Flood Risk Management Scheme, click the link below to download a copy of the Design and Benefits Guide. It explains how the Scheme will be delivered, what will be constructed, the benefits of the Scheme, and what the community can expect during construction.

Download Preston and South Ribble Design and Benefits Guide

Working arrangements

Working hours

The working hours approved through planning permission are 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 2pm on Saturdays. The Environment Agency and its construction partner VolkerStevin do not expect to work on weekends or public holidays.

Note: Utility and service providers may agree different working times with Lancashire County Council.

Minimising construction noise and dust

Unfortunately, some noise and dust will be created during construction. VolkerStevin will monitor and manage noise, vibration, and dust levels, and will endeavour to minimise the impact on homes, businesses, public areas, and the surrounding natural environment where possible.

To manage any construction-related road debris, cleaning of the carriageway will be undertaken by a road sweeper or similar, as appropriate.

Construction traffic

The work areas will be compact to minimise disruption. Designated routes will be used to bring materials and machinery to site compounds, from where they will be distributed to the various work zones.

Diversions and closures will be required in some areas and Traffic Management Plans will be agreed with Lancashire County Council’s Highways Department, who will ensure any temporary road or lane closures are managed appropriately to minimise traffic disruption.

Community benefits

Broadgate Gardens

Broadgate Gardens has been restored with a mix of fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, and amenity grassland. Additional seating areas have been provided and the Environment Agency has restored the riverside viewing platform.

Newly opened Broadgate Gardens

Ribble Sidings

In Lower Penwortham, the Environment Agency is working with South Ribble Borough Council to create an insect and wildlife-friendly wetland habitat, the design includes:

Woodland area with 170 native trees planted.
Orchard with five varieties of fruit trees.
Species rich grassland.
Native wildflowers and bulbs.
Two pond scrapes.
Network of paths through and around the site.

An area of amenity grassland and the existing children’s playground has been retained for recreation.

Victoria Road viewing platform

The Victoria Road viewing platform will be restored following the works with improved planting, surfacing and seating facilities.

Inclusive design

The design team has worked carefully to consider everyone’s needs.

Providing footpaths to allow pedestrians better access to public green spaces.
Providing seating, including benches with backrests and armrests in key locations.
Avoiding stepped access, where possible, and creating ramped access.
Avoiding awkward changes in level that may pose trip hazards and providing visual contrast between changes in levels.
Planting new trees, grasses, wildflowers, perennials, and shrubs to promote mental health and wellbeing.

Working with schools

The Environment Agency has worked with local schools to deliver educational sessions, this includes teaching students about the dangers of flooding, and the impact of climate change.

The Scheme has also delivered improved surface water drainage in playgrounds for three local primary schools. Elements of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) have been installed, which include permeable surfacing, rainwater planters, water butts, and trees. SuDS is a nature-based method that helps reduce surface water and improve water quality, by:

Capturing rainwater runoff to reduce flood risk
Storing runoff and releasing it slowly
Slowing the flow of rain to drains
Filtering out pollutants

Projects have been completed at:

Frenchwood Community Primary, Preston
St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary, Lower Penwortham
St Leonard’s Primary C.E., Walton-le-Dale

EA Project Sponsor Richard Knight visits St Leonard

Environmental benefits and opportunities

Trees

Surveys are conducted before any tree removal takes place, this is carried out in consultation with relevant partners. Trees are incorporated into the Scheme’s design to support natural habitats and for other purposes, where possible.

The Scheme is committed to planting at least 12 trees for every tree removed due to construction, and it’s worked closely with partners to identify planting locations. This includes planting over 8,500 trees and 2,550 hedgerow species along the river at Fishwick Bottoms in Preston. The Scheme has also supported South Ribble Borough Council’s “Plant 110,000 Trees” programme, with extensive planting at Golden Way in Lower Penwortham.

Proposals for replacement and compensatory planting, as well as landscaping and biodiversity requirements, are detailed within the environmental masterplans as part of the planning application submissions.

About the Victoria Road lime trees

To enable construction works along Victoria Road, the trees on the river side of the existing wall will need to be removed. Removing trees is not something the Environment Agency undertakes lightly. Extensive investigations, including tree root radar surveys and engineering assessments, were carried out to try and identify alternative designs that could preserve them. Unfortunately, due to the density and spread of the root systems, and the proximity of the trees to the required working area, it is not feasible to retain them and construct the flood defences.

The proposed design includes the removal of 18 trees, but three others at the viewing platform will not interfere with works and will not be removed. The Environment Agency is also exploring further ways to mitigate the tree loss; this includes looking into ways the wood can be reused, as well as taking cuttings from the trees.

More details on the lime trees can be found here.

Ecology

A range of ecological surveys have been undertaken to inform and support the Scheme. The Scheme encompasses habitats typical of the urban setting along the River Ribble and River Darwen, i.e. grasslands, tree lines, roads, bridges, and pedestrianised areas. The surveys pay particular attention to otters living along the River Ribble and to local bat activity.

Working in the river is avoided wherever possible but when it is necessary, it is restricted to between mid-June and January. This avoids impacting coarse fish, smelt (small fish), and eels present in the River Ribble.

The Scheme has invested in habitat creation, this has mostly taken place at Fishwick Bottoms in Preston with the planting of native trees and hedgerows, and at Ribble Sidings in Lower Penwortham with the construction of an insect-friendly wetland.

Historical structures and features

Some of the new flood defences are next to historic structures, such as Penwortham Old Bridge, or close to conservation areas. Care will be taken when construction is happening in these areas.

Any small objects of historical interest, for example mile markers, will be removed while construction is ongoing, and then restored to same location on completion of the flood defences.

Frequently asked questions

Why create the Flood Scheme?

There is a long history of flooding in Preston and South Ribble, which goes all the way back to the 1700s. There have been a number of severe floods since 1936, including Storm Eva in 2015.

The current flood defences were built between the 1920s and the early 2000s. Some defences are reaching the end of their design life and need to be repaired, replaced or extended. In other locations new flood defences will be installed. The Scheme takes into consideration climate change and environmental enhancements.

How many homes and businesses will be protected?

The proposed Scheme will better protect around 5,000 residential properties and businesses from direct flooding from the River Ribble and the River Darwen. There is also a focus on growth and regeneration in the areas where the Scheme is being constructed.

Download the Phase 1 FAQ guide

Download the Phase 2 FAQ guide

Download the Phase 2 Victoria Road lime trees FAQ guide

Contact

Click here to visit the Contact and information hub Page

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.