Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme
We are improving flood defences along the tidal River Ribble to provide better protection for 5,000 residences and businesses stretching from Preston Riversway up towards where the M6 motorway crosses the river. Existing defences were mostly built between the 1920s and 1980s and are coming to the end of their life.
Purpose
The work will enhance the environment and make the riverfront a more attractive place for Preston and South Ribble residents to enjoy, with the use of glass panels in some areas to maintain river views, improved paths and bridleways, and new park and habitat areas.
What we are doing
The scheme is split into two phases:
Phase 1, which is currently under construction, encompassing Area 1 (Riverside and Broadgate on the Preston side of the river) and Area 2 (Lower Penwortham in South Ribble). In Area 1, we are installing reinforced precast concrete wall units anchored by reinforced CFA pile and concrete pile cap foundations. Steel sheet piles serve multiple purposes, including seepage control, excavation retention, and temporary flood defence. We are also installing double leaf and mitred floodgates where the defence crosses public footpaths and council vehicular access.
In Area 2, we are installing a further length of precast concrete flood wall, rock armour revetment in an area prone to scour, raising existing earth embankments, and additional walls to protect Penwortham Methodist Church which is set back from the river front.
- Phase 2, covering the up-river communities of Frenchwood, Walton-le-Dale and Higher Walton, is currently in the design phase and awaiting planning permission. We have provided early supplier engagement including ground investigations.
Project successes
Our project team is overcoming engineering and stakeholder challenges to deliver the project. For example, to provide safe access along Broadgate and avoid damaging a sewer running the length of the road, we realigned the designed sheet piled cut-off from the dry to the wet side of the existing wall. This value engineering provided additional working space once sheet piles were installed, and the existing wall cut down.
We have maintained access to businesses and properties on Riversway. We created a temporary access road across a sports ground that sits behind The Continental Pub, Mini car garage, and two cottages. We have temporarily relocated the teams that regularly used the sports ground to improved facilities at a local school. We will also reinstate the ground to a higher standard once we have completed the works, providing a legacy of improved sports facilities for the people of Preston.
Working with the Environment Agency and a consultant, we are gathering evidence of best practice environmental, historic structure and engagement working to secure a BREEAM Infrastructure award. BREEAM is a leading sustainability rating system.
