Flood scheme to construct new River Ribble flood defences at Broadgate to be debated

Trees have been cut down at the top end of Broadgate bordering the River Ribble Pic: Chris Hough

A planning application concerning new flood works for the River Ribble is due to be discussed Thursday 1 April.

This is part of Preston and South Ribble’s ‘Flood Risk Management Scheme’ which will reduce the flood risk to 4,800 homes and 300 businesses.

The scheme is set to cost £49 million.

The planning application seeks permission for the erection of new flood defences along the northern and southern banks of the River Ribble, the installation of new flood gates and restoration of an existing slipway.

The scheme has been split into a number of areas and councillors will hear plans for the first step of the Environment Agency’s River Ribble flood defences plan.

The current view along Broadgate from the bridge over the Ribble Pic: Tony Worrall

Area 1A includes the replacement of the existing concrete flood defence wall, which currently varies between 0.75m to 1.23m in height bordering the banks of the River Ribble along Broadgate, with a new 566m long concrete flood wall.

Works in area 1B includes the replacement of the existing high concrete flood wall between Penwortham Old Bridge and the Cadent Gas Pipe Bridge with a new 35m long pre-cast concrete flood wall, incorporating a 0.8m high glass panel as part of the wall itself.

The proposed works in area 1C would see two new flood gates tying into the abutments of the viaduct installed alongside the new flood wall.

Area 1D includes a new off road parking/unloading area from the A5072 Strand Road, with two new steel gates installed adjacent to the Sea Cadets site.

This is as well as the boundary of the Sea Cadets site extended and then surfaced in tarmac to match the existing yard.

The plans are due to be approved if they meet conditions such as a replacement tree planting scheme being approved.

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