The Burnley flood defence project has successfully secured necessary funds and planning approval, paving the way for a comprehensive flood prevention initiative. Key elements of the project include new flood defence walls and a flood embankment, designed to protect the local area from potential flooding risks.
- The Environment Agency and Burnley Borough Council have confirmed that the long-standing funding gap has been resolved.
- The £37M project will entail significant infrastructure developments, including parapet enhancements to Padiham Bridge and the establishment of a new footbridge.
- Construction is scheduled to commence in summer 2025, following a significant increase in project costs due to various sector challenges.
- The scheme involves several organisations, highlighting the collaborative efforts necessary to advance such a large-scale project.
The Burnley flood defence scheme, formally known as the Padiham Flood Risk Management Scheme, will soon proceed after the Environment Agency and Burnley Borough Council successfully addressed funding issues and received planning permission. This essential project is expected to strengthen the area’s resilience against future flooding incidents.
Originally budgeted at £18M, the project costs have surged to £37M, reflecting prevailing national economic trends impacting the construction industry. The overhaul includes the construction of flood defence walls along strategic locations, such as the banks of the River Calder and Green Brook, to bolster the area against water ingress.
Enhancements to infrastructure will also include parapet strengthening of Padiham Bridge, the removal of the existing footbridge, and the installation of a new, more robust footbridge connecting River Drive with Lune Street. These changes are considered crucial in ensuring the safety and structural integrity of the local environment.
The Environment Agency has already completed initial stabilisation works in Padiham, yet acknowledged the impossibility of preventing all flooding, urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared. Communicative efforts will be undertaken to inform the local population about the benefits and limitations of the defences.
Fiona Duke, flood risk manager for Lancashire, emphasised the significant efforts taken since 2018 to safeguard Padiham, alongside the collaborative input from Burnley Borough Council and regional entities. Despite past delays, the continuation of this scheme marks a promising step forward in local flood resilience.
Burnley Council leader Afrasiab Anwar highlighted the urgent need for such developments, recalling past flooding devastations like the Boxing Day 2015 floods and underscoring the collective commitment to avoiding similar future occurrences.
The Burnley flood defence project is a crucial infrastructure endeavour aimed at enhancing the region’s resilience to flood risks.
