Rochdale’s £46m Flood Defence Scheme Takes Shape, Promising Protection for the Township
Rochdale, UK – Construction is advancing on a landmark £46 million flood defence project in Rochdale, a scheme designed to shield hundreds of homes and businesses from the devastation such as what was witnessed during the 2015 Boxing Day floods.
Work is now underway at all key sites for the Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme, a major infrastructure project aimed at providing long-term security for the community. The plan, developed by the Environment Agency and Rochdale Borough Council, involves the construction of a large flood storage reservoir at Gale West and new sections of flood defences along the River Roch.
The project was signed off in 2020 as a direct response to the catastrophic floods that submerged parts of the borough in 2015, causing widespread damage and disruption.
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh recently toured the active construction areas to witness the progress first-hand. During his visit, Mr Waugh was shown the developing concrete outlet structure of the new reservoir, where protective trash screens are being installed to ensure a steady, unblocked flow of water. He also viewed the ongoing creation of a new River Roch diversion channel, which will carry water from the existing river course into the reservoir once the system is operational.
Phase 1 of the project has already showcased innovative approaches, employing a ‘rain-ready’ system to manage polluted water generated by construction activities.
Once fully complete, the comprehensive network of new defences is set to better protect more than 700 homes and nearly 500 businesses across the borough. In the Littleborough area specifically, the scheme will safeguard over 300 homes and almost 200 non-residential properties, providing crucial peace of mind for residents and entrepreneurs.
Beyond its primary function of flood prevention, the scheme is also delivering environmental benefits. A woodland enhancement project at Grove Lodge will see 1.2 acres of habitat improved with the planting of over 130 new trees and 160 metres of hedging, boosting local biodiversity.
The visible progress on the ground marks a significant step forward in the town's resilience against extreme weather, turning a plan born from a past disaster into a tangible safeguard for the future.
Work is now underway at all key sites for the Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme, a major infrastructure project aimed at providing long-term security for the community. The plan, developed by the Environment Agency and Rochdale Borough Council, involves the construction of a large flood storage reservoir at Gale West and new sections of flood defences along the River Roch.
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The project was signed off in 2020 as a direct response to the catastrophic floods that submerged parts of the borough in 2015, causing widespread damage and disruption.
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh recently toured the active construction areas to witness the progress first-hand. During his visit, Mr Waugh was shown the developing concrete outlet structure of the new reservoir, where protective trash screens are being installed to ensure a steady, unblocked flow of water. He also viewed the ongoing creation of a new River Roch diversion channel, which will carry water from the existing river course into the reservoir once the system is operational.
Phase 1 of the project has already showcased innovative approaches, employing a ‘rain-ready’ system to manage polluted water generated by construction activities.
Once fully complete, the comprehensive network of new defences is set to better protect more than 700 homes and nearly 500 businesses across the borough. In the Littleborough area specifically, the scheme will safeguard over 300 homes and almost 200 non-residential properties, providing crucial peace of mind for residents and entrepreneurs.
Beyond its primary function of flood prevention, the scheme is also delivering environmental benefits. A woodland enhancement project at Grove Lodge will see 1.2 acres of habitat improved with the planting of over 130 new trees and 160 metres of hedging, boosting local biodiversity.
The visible progress on the ground marks a significant step forward in the town's resilience against extreme weather, turning a plan born from a past disaster into a tangible safeguard for the future.
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