The funds and essential planning permission will allow the Padiham Flood Risk Management Scheme to progress.
Fiona Duke, Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager for Lancashire, said:
We understand the devastating impact flooding can have, which is why reducing flood risk for the people of Padiham is one of our top priorities and our teams have been working on the flood scheme with residents, Burnley Borough Council and local organisations since 2018.
While having to pause the scheme was frustrating, we are delighted we can now carry on delivering the scheme to better protect local communities from flooding.
Meanwhile, Burnley Borough Council has granted planning permission for the next four phases of the scheme. This will see new and raised linear flood defences along both banks of the River Calder from Lune Street to Station Road Bridge and along both banks of Green Brook from its confluence with the River Calder to the Padiham Greenway.
Councillor Afrasiab Anwar, Leader of Burnley Council, said:
We must do everything within our power to protect Padiham from devastating events like Boxing Day 2015, and this scheme is a critical step in ensuring that history does not repeat itself.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated council officers and the Environment Agency for their relentless hard work and collaboration in bringing this project to fruition. Their efforts have been instrumental in achieving this milestone.
The project also includes:
-
the installation of flood defence walls,
-
a flood embankment at the former BAXI site,
-
parapet strengthening works to Padiham Bridge,
-
removal of an existing footbridge and installation of replacement footbridge over the River Calder connecting River Drive with Lune Street.
Construction to resume next year
Construction is scheduled to resume in Summer 2025.
Earlier this year, work had to be paused as the overall cost of the project went from £18m to £37m. The increase follows national trends affecting the building industry and is down to the larger scope of the build, ground condition complexities and the increasing price of materials.
The Environment Agency has already completed stabilisation and reinforcement works for two sections of the current flood defences in Padiham, as part of the project.
The Environment Agency will be writing to residents and businesses to highlight the benefits of the scheme and to provide further information.
It is important people remember that no matter how many defences we build, we cannot always prevent all flooding, so it's vital everyone knows the threat to them and how to keep loved ones, property, and possessions safe.
We urge everyone to be prepared, check their risk online and sign up to our free flood warning service here
