Govt provides £19m for Burnley flood defences after costs double
Work had paused on the flood risk management project for Padiham after the price tag went up from £18m to £37m – but with additional funding in place, construction will resume next summer.
The Environment Agency, which is delivering the scheme alongside Burnley Council, said in a press release that the increase in costs “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”.
Government has now agreed to provide the shortfall. The original funds for the project had come from a number of council partners, including the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership.
The Padiham Flood Risk Management Scheme includes installing flood defence walls and a flood embankment at the former BAXI site, all designed to help prevent flooding from the River Calder from Lune Street to Station Road Bridge and along both banks of Green Brooke.
Replacing a footbridge over the River Calder and strengthening the parapet at Padiham Bridge are also part of the project.
“This funding will enable the Environment Agency to move forward with confidence and complete the necessary defences to safeguard our town,” said Cllr Afrasiab Anwar, Leader of Burnley Council.
“We must do everything within our power to protect Padiham from the devastating events of Boxing Day 2015, and this scheme is a critical step in ensuring that history does not repeat itself.”
The Environment Agency’s flood risk manager for Lancashire, Fiona Duke, added: “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 and better protect local communities from flooding.”
Jacobs is working with Burnley Council and the Environment Agency on the plans. You can see the planning application by searching reference number FUL/2023/0729 on Burnley Council’s planning portal.
