First phase finished on Preston and South Ribble Flood Scheme

A major milestone has been reached by the Environment Agency's Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme, with phase 1 now complete.

The final stage of works - along Riverside - are now finished with South Meadow Lane and the riverside footpath and cycleway reopened.

Work on the scheme began in 2022. The completed works along Broadgate and Riverside in Preston and in Lower Penwortham - an investment of over £55m - include:

• c2km of new flood defence walls constructed, some topped with glass panels. The glass not only maintains views but is an integral part of the flood defences.
• c0.6km of defences inspected and maintained in Frenchwood and Walton Green.
• a new 20,000 tonne clay embankment.
• four new floodgates, which will remain open most of the time - only closed by Environment Agency staff when flood warnings are in place.

Environment Agency Flood and Coastal Risk Manager, Richard Knight, said:

The completion of this section of the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme is a key milestone. During construction we overcame a number of challenges, most notably the difficult ground and bedrock conditions along Riverside. We thank local residents and businesses for their patience.

This Scheme will help protect thousands of properties in the area from the devastating effects of flooding. Climate change is making extreme weather events more common, emphasising the need for improved defences along the Rivers Ribble and Darwen.

Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader at Preston City Council, said:

Climate change is increasing the risk of extreme weather events in the local area, so the completion of these extensive flood defences will make a huge difference in protecting our residents and their homes along the riverbank, should we experience extreme weather and risk of flooding in the future.

Along with being safe from future flooding, we're delighted to also have a fantastic and welcoming new entrance to Miller Park, which everyone can enjoy.

We thank the Environment Agency, contractors VolkerStevin, and everyone involved in the scheme for the great work involved in a project of this magnitude. We also thank residents and businesses in the area for their patience whilst works were ongoing.

The Scheme has also brought several community benefits:

• Reinstatement at Miller Park with an improved entrance space, which has been resurfaced and a 'Welcome to Miller Park' motif added.
• Reinstatement at Broadgate Gardens which was relandscaped and new seating added.
• Creation of a small, insect-friendly habitat at Ribble Sidings in Lower Penwortham.

Meanwhile, nearly 14,000 trees have been planted by the Scheme, including more than 10,000 trees and hedges on the flood plain at Fishwick Bottoms.

The Scheme has remained sympathetic to the historic Penwortham Old Bridge area, employing stonemasons to tie modern flood defences in with the Grade II listed structure and a concrete artist to do the same for the nearby gas pipe bridge.

Since 2024, the Environment Agency has helped deliver the government's commitment to invest £2.65 billion into flood defences, repairing and replacing existing defences and constructing new ones. With over 250 projects now completed, stronger protection has been delivered for nearly 62,000 properties across England.