The Flood Hub

The design of the Flood Risk Management Scheme will be sympathetic to the local area. All the flood walls will be built and finished in a way that is appropriate for the existing buildings and landscape.

The flood defences will feature a mix of raised embankments, walls (with glass panels in some areas), and floodgates.

Flood Wall 

The finishes for the flood defence walls have been agreed with Lancashire County Council, Preston City Council, and South Ribble Borough Council. The walls will be made predominantly from pre-cast concrete and topped with coping stones.

Glass Panels 

Glass panels will be used where wall heights exceed 1.4m, and in residential areas where existing properties had an unobstructed view of the river. The panels will allow residents and visitors to the area to continue to enjoy the view.

The panels are an integral part of the flood defences. The glass is ‘self-cleaning’ to provide the best finish. The frames are as thin as possible (typically 4-9cm) with supporting pillars of around 16cm. The frames are part of the defences and strong enough to withstand the forces of flood water. The frames are also powder-coated black to match street furniture and the new flood gates.

 

Flood Gates  

Four new flood gates will be installed as part of the scheme. The flood gates are recessed between pillars, so they are out of the way when not required. The gates will remain open during normal times and will be closed by the Environment Agency in the event of weather warnings and the risk of flooding.

 

Embankments 

A Redi-rock embankment has been built along Broadgate to stabilise the riverbank. Made from pressed concrete with a decorative cobblestone finish, the design features recessed areas in each block for planting. Over time, vegetation will grow, softening the appearance of the blocks.

Additionally, rock armour and rock bags have been used to reinforce the riverbank, which will also become more natural-looking as they are gradually covered with plant growth.

 

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Enhancing your community

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.

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, including 450 daffodils & 450 snowdrops.
• Pond dipping platform.
• Network of paths through and around the site.

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

Inclusive Design

The design team has worked carefully to ensure everyone’s needs are considered.

• 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 level changes, which may cause trip hazards, and ensuring visual contrast between changes in levels.

Planting new trees, grasses, wildflowers, perennials, and shrubs to promote mental health and wellbeing.

 

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Trees 

Tree surveys are conducted before any removal, in consultation with relevant partners, and no trees are felled during the bird nesting season. Whenever possible, trees are incorporated into the scheme’s design to support natural habitats and for other purposes.

The Environment Agency is committed to planting at least 12 trees for every one tree that has to be removed. The scheme is working closely with partners to identify the best planting locations, this includes supporting South Ribble Borough Council’s “Plant 110,000 trees” programme and the planting of over 8,000 trees along the river at Fishwick Bottoms in Preston.

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 submission.

Ecology 

A range of ecological surveys have been undertaken to inform and support the proposed scheme. The scheme encompasses habitats associated with the urban location along the River Ribble and River Darwen, i.e. grasslands, tree lines, roads, bridges, and pedestrianised areas.

Surveys pay particular attention to the otters living along the River Ribble and to local bat activity.

Work in the river is restricted to between June and January to avoid impacting coarse fish, smelt (small fish), and eels present in the River Ribble.

Habitat creation will take place at Fishwick Bottoms and Ribble Sidings to compensate for tree loss due to the scheme.

Historical Structures and Features

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

If required, 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.

 

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