£56m Flood Risk Management Scheme moves a step closer to completion in Rochdale and Littleborough

Trees cleared from the Littleborough site being used for the Natural Flood Management works (pictured: July 2021)

Work on a £56m flood risk management scheme, which will reduce the risk of flooding to 1,000 properties and key infrastructure in Rochdale and Littleborough, has moved a step closer to completion.

The Environment Agency, Rochdale Brough Council and Network Rail, have now finalised enabling works at the Gale site and installed a new culvert under the railway line.

The enabling works and culvert installation were critical activities to enable the next phase of work for the wider scheme, which will be one of the largest inland flood schemes in the North of England once complete.

Subject to planning and business case approval, further construction works are now proposed at various sites in and around Littleborough.

This will see a new flood storage reservoir built at the Gale site adjacent to Todmorden Road. The proposed storage reservoir will look like a field most of the time but it will be surrounded by flood protection measures including embankments, walls and a flow control structure at the southern end of the site.

In storm events when the capacity of the river is exceeded, water will begin to pool in the field creating a reservoir. The flow control structure will prevent the river exceeding the bank capacity downstream of the Gale site and through Littleborough town centre.

Hundreds of trees will also be planted as part of this scheme and several acres of habitat will also be improved.

The planning application for works in Littleborough is due to be submitted at the end of March with construction scheduled to start by Autumn 2022. A community drop-in session, to allow residents to view the plans for Littleborough before they are submitted for planning approval, will be held on Thursday 17 March at the Coach, The Heritage Centre, Lodge St, Littleborough OL15 9AE, between 3pm and 7pm.

Nick Pearson, Senior Flood Risk Advisor at the Environment Agency said: “The Rochdale and Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme will not only better protect people and property from flooding but will create a better place for the community by providing an enhanced environment for wildlife to thrive. We are delighted to see the progress on this scheme and look forward to the benefits its completion will bring.

“The help and cooperation of local residents has helped this scheme start to come to fruition and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and our partners for their continued support. We are now requesting feedback from the community around the visualisation of the proposed flood storage basin at Gale. To view the visualisations and find out more information, please go to the Rochdale and Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme page on the Flood Hub."

Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council said: "It is great to see progress being made on this major investment,  such a vital scheme which is going to be so important to protect homes and businesses from the storms and heavy rainfall we are seeing all too frequently. Now it is important that the local community have their say on the proposed works in Littleborough including the new flood storage reservoir at Gale so please do give your views."