Rochdale and Littleborough Flood Risk Scheme to begin work in early 2020

Flooding in Littleborough

The Environment Agency is hoping to submit a planning application for its Rochdale and Littleborough Flood Risk Scheme in autumn 2019, with a view to start on site in spring 2020.

Last year the government announced £5m to be granted towards a £46m flood defence scheme to be built in the borough of Rochdale.

The upcoming scheme is expected to deliver £455m worth of benefits over its lifetime and will improve flood protection for 1,000 residential properties and 200 local businesses as well as major infrastructure like the tram network, the bus interchange, colleges, a grid substation and waste water treatment works

Construction is expected to begin in Littleborough in spring 2020 and in Rochdale in 2021.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We are committed to delivering the scheme as quickly as we can and will work closely with Rochdale Borough Council and our other partners to ensure we are in a position to start on site as quickly as possible.

“By beginning upstream, the benefits will include a reduced flood risk for residents and businesses in Littleborough, Smallbridge and Rochdale at the earliest opportunity.

“The project team has been working hard on developing the detailed design for Phase 1, focussing on some of the features necessary to be built when constructing a Flood Storage Area, such as the one proposed for Gale. You may have seen some of the rigs in position as our contractors have been undertaking ground investigation.

“We had hoped to submit our planning application before Christmas and then consult with the Littleborough public in January, however, we have been delayed as design is finalised.

“It is now hoped that we will submit the Planning Application in autumn 2019 with a view to start on site in spring 2020.”

Drop-in events in Littleborough and Rochdale will take place during late summer/autumn 2019, and will continue to happen at regular intervals during the project.