The Environment Agency is delivering a £54.7m Flood Risk Management Scheme to better protect homes, schools, and businesses along parts of the River Ribble. The Scheme will improve the local environment and community amenities too. Construction in Broadgate & Riverside, and in Lower Penwortham is the first phase. Further works will take place in Walton le Dale, Frenchwood & Fishwick, and Higher Walton.
There is a long history of flooding in Preston and South Ribble, which goes all the way back to the 1700s. There have been eight recorded floods since 1936.
The existing River Ribble defences were built in stages between the 1920s and the 1990s. However, these defences are now reaching the end of their design life and need to be repaired, replaced, or extended.
The Environment Agency and its partners are working together to develop the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme (PSR FRMS). This scheme will provide flood risk mitigation for communities from Broadgate in Preston up towards Higher Walton – helping to protect around 5,000 residential properties and businesses.
The flood scheme takes into consideration climate change and environmental enhancements. There is also a focus on growth and regeneration in the areas where the scheme is being constructed.
The scheme is currently expected to cost around £54.7m; funding has been secured from the government and other funding partners.
Construction will be split into two phases and cover five areas.
Phase 1:
Areas 1 and 2 will comprise of defences made up of flood walls (topped with glass panels in some locations), and embankments. There will be property level protection in some locations too.
Phase 2:
Areas 3, 4, and 5 will comprise of flood walls, glass panels in some locations, embankments, and some property level flood protection (i.e. defences added to properties such as flood barriers).
Map showing the risk of potential flooding in Areas 1 to 5
