Padiham flood defence scheme ready for next phase after funding boost

Padiham was left devastated by flooding in 2015 and earlier this year

The £2m. boost comes on the same day the government also published a long-term plan to tackle the risks of flooding and coastal erosion for the future.

Its long-term flooding strategy includes investment of £5.2b. to create around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences that will better protect 336,000 properties in England by 2027, alongside support to help households and businesses get back on their feet more quickly after flooding.

Up to £170m of this has been brought forward to accelerate work on ‘shovel-ready’ flood defence schemes to begin construction in 2020 or 2021.

Padiham is one of the beneficiaries, with improvements set to be made to the scheme, providing an immediate boost to jobs supporting the local economy.

Dozens of homes, shops and businesses were destroyed in Padiham when the town experienced its worst flooding for more than 50 years, on Boxing Day 2015.

The area also flooded again during the devastation brought on by Storm Ciara and Dennis in February.

The Environment Agency’s successful bid into the fund means the scheme can continue its development at an enhanced pace, pending the finalisation of preferred scheme plans, as discussed with local community members and preparatory works including site investigations, planning, permitting and consents.

Andy Brown, Senior Flood Risk Advisor at the Environment Agency, who has been involved in developing the scheme from its early stages, said: “This funding is fantastic news for Padiham and ensures that our plans for flood defences within the area, as discussed with the local community, can progress to the next stage.

"A huge amount of work has been done alongside Burnley Borough Council, other partners and local residents to develop robust flood protection to 163 properties. Residents of Padiham, understandably, want to see flood defences in place to give them peace of mind during flooding incidents. Securing this funding is an important step to ensure local flood resilience is significantly improved.”

Aside from property protection, the scheme also offers opportunities for wider habitat creation working with Burnley BC, Ribble Rivers Trust and Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership

The detailed design is under way for the Padiham flood risk management scheme, with planning applications, agreements, permits and consents to follow.

The current programme estimates that construction of the defences for Padiham will begin in 2021.

Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham welcomed the news.

“This is something I have lobbied the government on extensively since I was elected in December and securing the extra funding is great news for Padiham and Burnley which will benefit enormously from improved flood defences once the scheme Is completed.

"It will protect over 300 businesses, 2,000 jobs in those business and over £30m of economic benefits as a result.

“As we come through the coronavirus pandemic we need to accelerate our investment in infrastructure to level-up, as I committed to doing, and so I very much welcome the Government’s commitment to this.

"The £5b. to bring forward infrastructure projects of all types announced by the Prime Minister, from flood defences to schools and roads, will help create new jobs and opportunities across the UK, and I will continue to fight to ensure our area gets its fair share.”