He said: “The Victoria Road section of the Environment Agency’s scheme, recently approved at the SRBC Planning Meeting, does not, in my view, represent the most rational or least disruptive design.
“I live alongside the River Darwen, only a few hundred yards from the River Ribble, and I am keen to see solutions that do not create unnecessary disruption or environmental loss.”
The 18 trees are class A trees, meaning they are of a high quality and value and shouldn’t be removed without an exceptional reason.
Multiple floods have impacted Walton-Le-Dale with the most notable recently January 2025.
Roads in the town will also face closures whilst the flood works are carried out.
John said: “As proposed, it is likely to cause significant physical and emotional strain for residents and local businesses over an extended period.
“The scheme will also replace the attractive riverside view from the north side of Victoria Road with a structure more reminiscent of an industrial dockyard.
“Hundreds of residents are already worried, and countless others, still unaware of what is planned, may only realise the consequences when it is too late to have any say.
The work will be done as part of the £54.7 million Preston & South Ribble Flood Management Scheme that was started in 2022.
John’s friend Graham Dixon set up the online petition to stop the removal.
John said: “This work does not have to be carried out in the way currently proposed.
“It could be undertaken from the river, avoiding the need to fell the trees or close Victoria Road, and potentially at significantly lower cost to the public.”
When asked specifically why alternative plans were not being considered, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency told Blog Preston: “Constructing defences in front of the trees, closer to the river, was considered.
“However, this option would require temporary obstruction of a section of the river, which would increase flood risk.
“It would also make the scheme financially unviable and cause serious environmental harm to the river, which is situated within a Marine Conservation Zone.”
The Environment Agency said that removing the trees is the only way to protect the town from flooding.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency added: “We only remove trees if there is no alternative way of protecting communities from the devastating effects of flooding.
“Our flood scheme will reduce flood risk for hundreds of homes and businesses in Walton-le-Dale.
Construction on the defences is expected to be finished in early 2028.
“We understand the importance of these lime trees to the local community. We’ve taken cuttings to propagate and replant at suitable local locations.
“Meanwhile, we’ve planted nearly 14,000 trees and hedges at a ratio of 15:1 to replace trees that we regrettably have to remove to allow the scheme to be built.”
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Article categoriesPreston News, South Ribble Locations, South Ribble News, Walton-le-Dale
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