{"id":514021,"date":"2026-04-05T10:11:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T10:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/514021\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T10:11:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T10:11:13","slug":"flood-plans-that-would-protect-victoria-road-trees-could-cause-serious-harm-to-ribble-says-environment-agency-blog-preston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/514021\/","title":{"rendered":"Flood plans that would protect Victoria Road trees could cause serious harm to Ribble, says Environment Agency \u2013 Blog Preston"},"content":{"rendered":"

He said: \u201cThe Victoria Road section of the Environment Agency\u2019s scheme, recently approved at the SRBC Planning Meeting, does not, in my view, represent the most rational or least disruptive design.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 18 trees are class A trees, meaning they are of a high quality and value and shouldn\u2019t be removed without an exceptional reason.<\/p>\n

Multiple floods have impacted Walton-Le-Dale with the most notable recently January 2025.<\/p>\n

Roads in the town will also face closures whilst the flood works are carried out.<\/p>\n

John said: \u201cAs proposed, it is likely to cause significant physical and emotional strain for residents and local businesses over an extended period.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe scheme will also replace the attractive riverside view from the north side of Victoria Road with a structure more reminiscent of an industrial dockyard.<\/p>\n

\u201cHundreds 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.<\/p>\n

The work will be done as part of the \u00a354.7 million Preston & South Ribble Flood Management Scheme that was started in 2022.<\/p>\n

John\u2019s friend Graham Dixon set up the online petition<\/a> to stop the removal.<\/p>\n

John said: \u201cThis work does not have to be carried out in the way currently proposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked specifically why alternative plans were not being considered, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency told Blog Preston: \u201cConstructing defences in front of the trees, closer to the river, was considered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, this option would require temporary obstruction of a section of the river, which would increase flood risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would also make the scheme financially unviable and cause serious environmental harm to the river, which is situated within a Marine Conservation Zone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Environment Agency said that removing the trees is the only way to protect the town from flooding.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency added: \u201cWe only remove trees if there is no alternative way of protecting communities from the devastating effects of flooding.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOur flood scheme will reduce flood risk for hundreds of homes and businesses in Walton-le-Dale.<\/p>\n

Construction on the defences is expected to be finished in early 2028.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand the importance of these lime trees to the local community. We\u2019ve taken cuttings to propagate and replant at suitable local locations.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeanwhile, we\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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