£9 million flood defences for Padiham approved by local council
The money will be spent on mechanisms to prevent flooding as in 2015
Last updated 17th Aug 2024
Plans have been approved for millions of pounds to be spent on flood defences for an East Lancashire town.
The town of Padiham was severely impacted by Storm Desmond in 2015, as it left homes and businesses damaged.
Following the storm, residents have been campaigning for stronger flood defences, with Burnley Council earmarking funds for the new infrastructure.
Now, the next four phases of the scheme, which will cost the Council a total of £9 million have been approved by councillors.
The defences will look to protect a total of 133 homes, as well as the town centre after being overwhelmed with heavy rainfall.
The proposals include new and raised linear 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.
This 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, the part diversion two public footbridges and creating a breach in the existing flood embankment along the north bank of the River Calder to ease the build up of water pressure.
An officer’s report said: “The Environment Agency are proposing a flood risk management scheme to manage flood risk to local communities in Padiham.
“Padiham has a history of flooding from the River Calder and Green Brook, the most significant of which was Storm Desmond, which occurred in December 2015.
“The storm affected 149 properties through surface water flooding and fluvial flooding from both the River Calder and Green Brook.
“Those affected included: businesses; utilities infrastructure; the Grade II listed Town Hall; emergency services facilities; residential properties; and health and education establishments.
“It took over two years for the town to visibly recover, with the full reopening of the Town Hall in January 2018.
“The Padiham FRMS will seek to reduce the high level of flood risk to properties, businesses and infrastructure along the River Calder and Green Brook.
“The proposed scheme has been designed to better protect over 133 properties, businesses, public buildings and key infrastructure in central Padiham.”