A bid is being made for funding to help improve flood defences along the River Ribble.

Lancashire County Council (LCC) is bidding for more than £5.7m to put towards a £40m improvement scheme.

Led by LCC and delivered by the Environment Agency, the scheme aims to provide Preston and South Ribble homes and businesses with better flood protection by raising existing defences and building new ones.

The bid will be made to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The Environment Agency has started consulting residents and businesses on the proposed improvements, and is supported by Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council, United Utilities, and LCC’s Flood Risk Management service.

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Deputy leader of the county council county councillor Albert Atkinson said: “Our flood risk management team is working closely with communities and organisations responsible for managing water to investigate the causes of flooding, and work towards reducing the impact of future events.

“The Environment Agency has identified that these defences are in need of substantial upgrading, and has access to funds available to protect people’s homes to meet most of the cost of the scheme. However, the county council is eligible to apply for further funding available, which if successful will help to pay for the first phase of the scheme.

“Our outline funding bid has already been successful, and we have now been invited to make a full submission, which cabinet is happy to support. We understand all too well in Lancashire the terrible impact that flooding can have, and recognise how important it is to do all we reasonably can to reduce the impact of future incidents.”

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Riversway councillor Peter Moss said: “As both a local Councillor for the Riversway and Broadgate areas and with a responsibility for the wider remit of Preston, I know that the proposed improvements are a vital step in protecting residents and local businesses from flood risk. We are pleased to be supporting Lancashire County Council and the Environment Agency in this proactive effort.”

You can find out more about flooding and how to prepare for it on the LCC’s flooding help pages.

Have you been affected by flooding? What do you think of the scheme? Let us know in the comments below.