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Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Summary Report December 2009 managing flood risk We are the Environment Agency. It’s our job to look after your environment and make it a better place – for you, and for future generations. Your environment is the air you breathe, the water you drink and the ground you walk on. Working with business, Government and society as a whole, we are making your environment cleaner and healthier. The Environment Agency. Out there, making your environment a better place.

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Environment Agency Richard Fairclough House Knutsford Road Warrington WA4 1HT Tel: 0870 8506506 Email: [email protected] www.environment-agency.gov.uk

© Environment Agency

All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency. December 2009 Introduction

I am pleased to introduce our summary of the Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP). This CFMP gives an overview of the flood risk in the Ribble catchment and sets out our preferred plan for sustainable flood risk management over the next 50 to 100 years.

The Ribble CFMP is one of 77 CFMPs for and parts of Preston are also at risk of tidal flooding. and Wales. Through the CFMPs, we have assessed We estimate 6400 properties in the catchment have inland flood risk across all of England and Wales for a 1% annual probability of flooding from rivers or a the first time. The CFMP considers all types of inland 0.5% annual probability of flooding from the tide. We flooding, from rivers, groundwater, surface water estimate that by 2100 approximately 12,400 properties and tidal flooding, but not flooding directly from the will be at risk of flooding (fluvial and tidal). This is sea (coastal flooding), which is covered by Shoreline a 94% increase compared to the current number of Management Plans (SMPs). Our coverage of surface properties at fluvial flood risk across the catchment. and groundwater is however limited due to a lack of We cannot reduce flood risk on our own, we will available information. therefore work closely with all our partners to improve The role of CFMPs is to establish flood risk management the co-ordination of flood risk activities and agree policies which will deliver sustainable flood risk the most effective way to management flood risk in management for the long term. This is essential if we the future. To develop this plan and ensure social, are to make the right investment decisions for the economic and environmental issues were taken future and to help prepare ourselves effectively for into account we worked with, and consulted many the impact of climate change. We will use CFMPs to organisations. These include local authorities, help us target our limited resources where the risks and North County Councils, Defra, are greatest. United Utilities, Natural England and English Heritage.

This CFMP identifies flood risk management policies to This is a summary of the main CFMP document, if you assist all key decision makers in the catchment. It was need to see the full document an electronic version produced through a wide consultation and appraisal can be obtained by emailing enquiries@environment- process, however it is only the first step towards an agency.gov.uk or alternatively paper copies can be integrated approach to Flood Risk Management. As we viewed at any of our offices in North West Region. all work together to achieve our objectives, we must monitor and listen to each others progress, discuss what has been achieved and consider where we may need to review parts of the CFMP.

In the Ribble catchment the main sources of flood risk are from rivers, surface water flooding, and sewer flooding from the drainage system. The lower reaches Tony Dean of the catchment at locations such as Regional Director

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 1 Contents

The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk 3

Catchment overview 4

Current and future flood risk 6

Future direction for flood risk management 10

Sub-areas 1 Upper Ribble & Hodder sub-area 12 2 Rural Ribble sub-area 14 3 Settle sub-area 16 4 sub-area 18 5 Rural Calder and sub-area 20 6 Calder Urban Areas sub-area 22 7 & sub-area 24 8 Lower Ribble and Fylde Streams sub-area 26 9 Preston & Walton-le-Dale sub-area 28 10 & Lytham St Annes sub-area 30

Map of CFMP policies 32

2 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk

CFMPs help us to understand the • Internal Drainage Board, water CFMPs aim to promote more scale and extent of flooding now companies and other utilities to sustainable approaches to managing and in the future, and set policies help plan their activities in the flood risk. The policies identified in for managing flood risk within the wider context of the catchment. the CFMP will be delivered through a catchment. CFMPs should be used combination of different approaches. • Transportation planners. to inform planning and decision Together with our partners, we making by key stakeholders such as: • Landowners, farmers and will implement these approaches land managers who manage through a range of delivery plans, • The Environment Agency, who will and operate land for projects and actions. use the plan to guide decisions agriculture, conservation on investment in further plans, The relationship between the CFMP, and amenity purposes. projects or actions. delivery plans, strategies, projects • The public and businesses to and actions is shown in figure 1. • Regional planning bodies and enhance their understanding local authorities who can use of flood risk and how it will the plan to inform spatial be managed. planning activities and emergency planning.

Figure 1 The relationship between CFMPs, delivery plans, projects and actions

Policy planning • CFMPs and Shoreline Management Plans. • Action plans define requirement for delivery plans, projects and actions.

Policy delivery plans (see note) Projects and actions • Influence spatial planning to reduce risk • Make sure our spending delivers the best and restore floodplains. possible outcomes. • Prepare for and manage floods • Focus on risk based targets, for example (including local Flood Warning plans). numbers of households at risk. • Managing assets. • Water level management plans. • Land management and habitat creation. Note: Some plans may not be led by us – we may • Surface water management plans. identify the need and encourage their development.

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 3 Catchment overview

The Ribble CFMP area is made The key urban areas within the locations is focused around up of the catchments of the catchment lie in the industrialised sustainable re-development, flood , along with its major areas of East Lancashire adjacent to warning, resilience, making space tributaries which include the the River Calder and Darwen, such for water either locally or upstream, Hodder, Calder, and Darwen, as , Nelson and ; and the improvement or installation together with the streams draining and also in the lower reaches of of flood defences where they Peninsula. The catchment the River Ribble at Preston and are economically justifiable and contains extensive areas of rural Walton-le-Dale. There are also environmentally acceptable. land containing numerous villages, numerous dispersed villages in the The CFMP area is important for together with some major urban upper catchment, with some larger nature conservation. A number areas including Burnley, Blackburn, towns such as Settle, Clitheroe and of nationally and internationally Preston, and South Blackpool. located in the middle protected sites are within the There are also areas of high quality to upper catchment. The industrial CFMP area. These range from the agricultural land, particularly in the legacy of the Ribble catchment is Bowland Fell Special Protection west of the CFMP area, where there evident in areas of East Lancashire Area (SPA) and Site is a history of agricultural drainage. where industrial buildings such as of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) mills and factories were built over Whilst the majority of the lower in the upper catchment, to the rivers, creating numerous culverted catchment is flat low-lying river Ribble Estuary SPA where the Ribble watercourses. floodplain, elevated areas are enters the . Depending present in the Approximately 6,400 properties on the location and nature of the near to the urban settlements of across the catchment have a 1% designation, flooding can have a East Lancashire, as well as in the chance of flooding from rivers or mixture of effects, although within Bowland Fell area. This leads to a 0.5% chance of flooding from the Ribble catchment these effects faster responses to rainfall in those the tide in any one year. Around are expected to be beneficial. parts, whereas the lower lying areas 70% of these properties are in the tend to have a slower and more urban areas of East Lancashire gradual response time to rainfall. and Preston. Our approach to management in these high risk

River Calder at Burnley

4 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Map 1 Location Of The Ribble CFMP Area

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 5 Current and future flood risk

Overview of the current flood risk

Flood risk has two components: le-Dale from the Ribble. The Shoreline Management Plan the chance (probability) of a urban areas of East Lancashire (SMP) expected in 2010. particular flood and the impact (or are mainly affected by the Calder • Surface water flooding is caused consequence) that the flood would and Darwen. There is useful by water collecting or flowing have if it happened. The probability attenuation capacity on the over the surface before soaking of a flood relates to the likelihood of Ribble due to floodplain near into the ground or entering a flood of that size occurring within Long Preston and further down a watercourse. This type of a one year period, it is expressed the . This is largely flooding can occur throughout as a percentage. For example, responsible for the delay in the catchment. Our consultation a 1% flood has a 1% chance or peak flows further downstream. showed that some of the urban probability of occurring in any one Elsewhere in the catchment there areas of Blackpool and Preston year, and a 0.5% flood has a 0.5% are limited amounts of floodplain have high surface water flood risk chance or probability of occurring that can attenuate the flows. as does Clitheroe, Whalley and in any one year. The numbers of There are a number of locations Higher Walton. people at risk of flooding quoted in in the catchment where local this report do not take account of restrictions in the flow such as a • Sewer flooding is usually caused flood defences already in place. culvert or bridge may contribute by an inadequate sewer capacity to flooding. or blockages within the network. The Ribble catchment has a history Isolated sewer flooding affects of flooding; 40 significant events • Tidal flooding is caused by storm various locations across the having been recorded since 1600. surge and wave action in times catchment to some extent, The most significant was in 1866 of high astronomical tides. but Blackpool and Blackburn- when flooding occurred on the The three main urban areas Oswaldtwistle experience a Ribble, Calder and the Darwen, when influenced by direct tidal flooding higher incidence of internal newspapers recorded widespread are Lytham St Annes, Preston sewer flooding problems. United flooding of businesses and () and Walton-le- Utilities have undertaken work properties. More recently in 1995, 38 Dale. The rivers in the catchment to improve and maintain public properties were flooded in Preston, are tidally influenced as far as sewers in this area. Walton le Dale and Ribchester and Brockhole Bridge on the Ribble a similar event in 2000 also flooded and High Walton Bridge on the • Even though the Ribble CFMP , and Blackburn Darwen. Immediately upstream of area contains areas of permeable affecting 33 properties. In 2002 the these points storm surges, waves bedrock at or near the land Calder and Darwen flooded affecting and tides have the potential surface and some underlying 18 residential and 40 commercial to increase flooding caused by aquifers, (both major and minor properties around Blackburn and rainfall by preventing inland in terms of water resources) Burnley. fluvial rivers from draining freely groundwater flooding is not seen (Tidelocking). Liggard Brook, as a major issue in the area. Any The main sources of flooding in the Dow Brook and groundwater rebound, associated Ribble catchment are: are affected in this way. Tidal with the end of historical water • River flooding mainly affects flooding and coastal processes pumping, is thought to be Preston, Ribchester and Walton- will be assessed in the next negligible.

6 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan What is at risk? Where is the risk?

Using a broad-scale model and The main flood risk to people, built up areas is much larger than flood maps we estimate 6,400 communities and businesses, in in the rest of the catchment, but properties across the catchment terms of disruption and proportion there are rural properties at flood have a 1% chance of flooding from of the community affected, are risk. The flow modelling used in the rivers or a 0.5% chance of flooding located in the urban areas of creation of the CFMP indicates that from the tide in any one year. There Preston and Walton-le-Dale, and Barrowford, Ribchester, Burnley and are 10 SSSIs, 1 SPA, 2 national the urban towns of East Lancashire. Higher Walton could experience nature reserves and 10 scheduled Parts of the Ribble catchment (for flood depths of in excess of 1m ancient monuments within the example, Northern and Eastern for the 1% annual exceedance 1% annual probability flood event areas) are quite steep and most probability (AEP) fluvial flood event. some of which could be adversely flooding is directly from rivers which The map overleaf illustrates where affected by flooding. can be fast flowing and pose a risk the properties are at risk of flooding to life. The number of properties at in a 1% annual probability event. risk and the cost of damage in the

Table 1. Locations of Towns and Villages with 100 or more properties at risk in a 1% annual probability river flood

Number of properties at risk Locations

>1000 Lytham St. Annes, Preston, Burnley

500-1000 Blackpool, Clitheroe, Nelson

100-500 Settle, Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Oswaltwistle

Table 2. Critical infrastructure at risk:

In addition to properties being at risk of flooding, a range of infrastructure is also at risk within the catchment in a 1% flood event. This includes three water treatment works, 19 sewage treatment works, 23 schools, 16 health care facilities, and four community centres.

River Ribble, Preston

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 7 Map 2 Risk to property across catchment for the 1% and 0.1% annual probability fluvial events

How we currently manage the risk in the catchment

The Ribble catchment has benefited • Construction of the Highgate and activities that address the from engineering schemes put in Park Flood Basin and Defences in consequences of flooding. place over the last 50 years or more. Fulwood, Preston. Activities that reduce the probability These include: In addition to these engineering of flooding include: • The recent construction of the schemes, other flood risk • Maintaining and improving Lomeshaye and Walton le Dale management activities are carried existing flood defences, Flood Alleviation Schemes that out in the catchment. These structures and watercourses. now provide protection for a include activities that help to The catchment has over 85 km of 1.3% annual probability event. reduce the probability of flooding, raised defences, with more than 50% of these maintained by the Environment Agency.

8 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan The impact of climate change and future flood risk

• Enforcement and maintenance In the future, flooding will be • A total sea level rise of 841 mm where riparian owners and others influenced by climate change, by the year 2100. carry out unconsented work changes in land use (for example • Increased urbanisation (up to or neglect duties which could urban development), and rural 10%). increase flood risk. land management. In the Ribble catchment, sensitivity testing We estimate that by 2100 • Building on the revealed that climate change has approximately 12,400 properties recommendations of previous the greatest impact on flood risk, will be at risk of flooding (fluvial Environment Agency flood with land management change and tidal). This is a 94% increase risk strategies, such as those having a significant effect in the compared to the current number of covering Burnley, Nelson and upper catchment from large scale properties at flood risk across the , and the Darwen area, change and urbanisation having a catchment. Flood depth is expected to manage flood risk more very small effect. Whilst we do not to increase by 0.3m in Burnley, effectively. know exactly what will happen in Colne, and Walton-le-Dale; by 0.2m the future the key trends are: • Working with local authorities to in Preston, Blackburn, and Nelson; influence the location, layout and • More frequent and intense and 0.1m in Darwen; by 2100. design of new and redeveloped storms causing more widespread No additional environmental or property to ensure that only flooding from drainage systems heritage sites are in the future 1% appropriate development is and some rivers. annual probability flood extent allowed on the floodplain • Wetter winters increasing the but the flood depth and extent of through the application of likelihood of large-scale flooding. flooding is expected to increase Planning Policy Statement 25 slightly. (PPS25). The future scenarios used in the Ribble CFMP were: Figure 2 shows the difference Activities that reduce the between current and future flood consequences of flooding include: • A 20% increase in peak flow in risk for a 1% annual probability all watercourses. The predicted • Flood risk mapping, event at key areas in the catchment. increase in flow can affect the understanding where flooding is frequency, timing, scale of likely to occur. flooding and the flood levels. • Operation of Floodline and Flood Warning Services to 19 areas in Figure 2 Current and future (2100) flood risk to property from a 1% annual the Ribble Catchment. probability river flood, taking into account current flood defences. • Providing flood incident management. 14000

12000 • Promoting awareness of flooding so that organisations, 10000 communities and individuals 8000 are aware of the risk and are prepared in case they need to 6000

take action in time of flood. 4000

• Promoting resilience and 2000 Number of Properties at Flood Risk at Properties Number of resistance measures for those 0 Upper Rural Settle Clitheroe Calder Calder Accrington Rural Lower Preston Blackpool properties already in the Ribble Ribble Urban & Darwen Ribble & & & Areas Oswald- and Walton- Lytham floodplain. Hodder twistle Fylde le-Dale St Annes

Current Future

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 9 Future direction for flood risk management

Approaches in each sub-area

We have divided the Ribble defences. This is why we have to This document does set out our CFMP area into ten distinct sub- look catchment-wide at how we policies for managing flood risk, areas that have similar physical direct effort and resources to ensure recognising the constraints that characteristics, sources of flooding, sustainable solutions. We have do exist. Our future direction for and levels of risk. These sub areas assessed what will be the most managing flood risk is expressed will allow us and key stakeholders sustainable approach to managing by applying one of our six standard to promote flood risk management flood risk in each sub area. This is policy options to that sub area. To approaches, policies and actions presented in the following sections select the most appropriate policy, that are most appropriate in and they outline: the plan has considered how social, that area to deliver the various economic and environmental Government and regional strategies, • The key issues in that area. objectives are affected by flood risk in particular “Making Space for • The vision and preferred policy. management activities under each Water”. In the face of increasing policy option. The six policy options risk, it often is not sustainable • The proposed actions to are explained on page 11. to keep building and raising implement the policy.

Map 3 Sub-areas

10 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Table 3 Policy options ➜ Policy 1 Areas of little or no flood risk where we will continue to monitor and advise This policy will tend to be applied in those areas where there are very few properties at risk of flooding. It reflects a commitment to work with the natural flood processes as far as possible.

➜ Policy 2 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk management actions This policy will tend to be applied where the overall level of risk to people and property is low to moderate. It may no longer be value for money to focus on continuing current levels of maintenance of existing defences if we can use resources to reduce risk where there are more people at higher risk. We would therefore review the flood risk management actions being taken so that they are proportionate to the level of risk.

➜ Policy 3 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we are generally managing existing flood risk effectively This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently appropriately managed and where the risk of flooding is not expected to increase significantly in the future. However, we keep our approach under review, looking for improvements and responding to new challenges or information as they emerge. We may review our approach to managing flood defences and other flood risk management actions, to ensure that we are managing efficiently and taking the best approach to managing flood risk in the longer term.

➜ Policy 4 Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we are already managing the flood risk effectively but where we may need to take further actions to keep pace with climate change This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently deemed to be appropriately-managed, but where the risk of flooding is expected to significantly rise in the future. In this case we would need to do more in the future to contain what would otherwise be increasing risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require further appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 5 Areas of moderate to high flood risk where we can generally take further action to reduce flood risk This policy will tend to be applied to those areas where the case for further action to reduce flood risk is most compelling, for example where there are many people at high risk, or where changes in the environment have already increased risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require additional appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 6 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we will take action with others to store water or manage run-off in locations that provide overall flood risk reduction or environmental benefits This policy will tend to be applied where there may be opportunities in some locations to reduce flood risk locally or more widely in a catchment by storing water or managing run-off. The policy has been applied to an area (where the potential to apply the policy exists), but would only be implemented in specific locations within the area, after more detailed appraisal and consultation.

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 11 Sub-area 1

Upper Ribble & Hodder

Our key partners are: The issues in this minimal, and any increase in flood sub-area risk as a result of climate change is District Council unlikely to be significant enough to change this approach. Ribble Valley Borough Council This sparsely populated area has a generally low risk of flooding Pendle Borough Council considering its very large size. Any properties that are at risk of The key messages Lancashire County Council flooding are dispersed in nature. • Flood risk is low and the sub- Landowners The sub-area is very rural and the area is sparsely populated. There rivers tend to be natural channels are some flood risk problems in Natural England without flood defences. We isolated villages. RSPB estimate there are 230 properties at risk of flooding in a 1% annual • Flood defence engineering works probability event (APE) and this in this area are very unlikely to could rise to 350 due to the effects be justifiable due to the isolated of climate change by 2100. nature of the properties at risk of flooding. The vision and • Opportunities exist to provide flood storage and create preferred policy habitat, which could also reduce Policy option 1: Areas of little or no downstream flood risk. flood risk where we will continue to monitor and advise.

Because of the generally low flood risk throughout this sub-area, significant engineering works are unlikely to be economically justifiable to the isolated properties which are at risk of flooding. Flood resilience measures within these properties are the preferred method of managing flood risk. Due to the sub-area’s rural nature, there are possibilities for targeted natural flood storage and associated creation of new habitats. Our current flood risk management activities in this sub-area are

12 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Promote the application and use of flood resilience measures to those properties in the sub-area currently at risk of flooding.

• Promote land use/land management projects by landowners via Higher Level Stewardship (HLS).

Tosside,

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 13 Sub-area 2

Rural Ribble

Our key partners are: The issues in this The SCaMP project being carried out by United Utilities includes Ribble Valley Borough Council sub-area measures such as the blocking of moorland ‘grip’ drainage channels, Craven District Council This sub-area is almost entirely rural and contains the designated and the creation of small wetland Lancashire County Council Bowland Fell SPA and the Long areas which will help to increase Preston Deeps Site of Special flow storage in this sub-area. Due United Utilities Scientific Interest (SSSI) and so to its rural nature, some parts of this sub-area have good potential Landowners has high nature conservation value. Only four properties are for the storage of water during flood Natural England currently at risk of flooding, and events, with the added opportunity the effects of climate change are for enhancement of natural habitats. RSPB unlikely to increase this number. In The reconnection of the Ribble to its the Bowland Fell area a significant floodplain at Long Preston Deeps amount of work has been carried through land management changes out in the sub-area by United steered by a river restoration Utilities’ Sustainable Catchment plan should contribute to future Management Programme (SCaMP) reduction in flood risk downstream project to improve the quality of and have important conservation habitats, which could also benefit benefits. Our current flood risk downstream flood risk. management activities in this sub- area are minimal, and any increase in flood risk as a result of climate The vision and change is unlikely to be significant enough to change this approach. preferred policy

Policy option 6: Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we will The key messages take action with others to store • Flood risk is very low and is not water or manage run-off in locations forecast to increase significantly that provide overall flood risk in the future. reduction or environmental benefits. • Any proposed works should look This sub-area consists of elevated to conserve and enhance the moorland habitat in the upper part nature of the SSSI site. of the catchment, and an upland flat meandering • Flood defence engineering works floodplain at Long Preston that in this area are unlikely to be provides the upland habitat limit for justifiable to the few isolated a number of bird species in England. properties at risk of flooding. • The sub-area is suitable for Whilst there are isolated farms, the floodplain storage and the sub-area is almost entirely rural creation of new habitats involving and unpopulated and there are very the increased storage of flows to low numbers at risk of flooding. benefit downstream flood risk.

14 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Implement the SCaMP project by United Utilities and its partners, to improve habitats within Bowland Fell.

• Promote land use/land management projects by landowners in selected areas to benefit flood risk, via Higher Level Stewardship (HLS).

• Promote the application and use of flood resilience measures to those properties in the sub-area currently at risk of flooding, where flood defences are not economically viable.

Langden Brook,

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 15 Sub-area 3

Settle

Our key partners are: The issues in this flood risk is forecast to increase sub-area to a high level due to the effects Craven District Council of climate change. Despite this, major engineering works in the Lancashire County Council Flood risk in Settle is mainly from the River Ribble due to the form of flood defences are unlikely United Utilities catchment immediately upstream to be economic due to the current responding quickly to rainfall standard of protection. Alternative events. A total of 90 properties approaches to managing flood are currently at risk of flooding risk should therefore be adopted, which is forecast to double over the such as the implementation of next 100 years due to the effects sustainable drainage systems of climate change, although no (SUDS) in new and existing critical infrastructure is at risk now developments. In addition, the or in the future. Due to the rapidly local authority has a responsibility responding catchment, problems to discourage inappropriate exist with flows entering the sewers development in floodplain areas, in the town possibly leading to and the effects of sewer flood risk flooding. The town contains a need to be better understood to number of walls acting as flood look at the impacts on flood risk defences, as well as bridges and from all sources. channelised stretches that may restrict river flows. Because of the flood risk in the town, a flood The key messages warning service is provided to • Flood risk will rise to a high level parts of Settle to inform residents in the future due to the impacts of potential flooding to their of climate change. properties. • Major engineering works are unlikely to be justifiable. The vision and • We need to work with our preferred policy partners from United Utilities Policy option 4: Areas of low, and Craven District Council moderate or high flood risk where to investigate other ways of we are already managing the flood managing flood risk, such as risk effectively but where we may using the planning system need to take further actions to keep to discourage floodplain pace with climate change. development, and investigating flood risk from the sewer Whilst flood risk in Settle is not as network. high as other towns downstream in the Ribble catchment, future

16 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Resist inappropriate development on the floodplains in and around Settle using the principles of PPS25 and encourage the implementation of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS).

• Carry out a feasibility study to consider the justification for maintaining the current level of flood risk into the future in Settle, accepting that major works are unlikely to be a priority.

• Investigate the causes of surface water flooding and sewer flooding in Settle and carry out remedial actions.

• Identify structures which cause flow restrictions or flow obstructions in Settle, and prioritise structures for replacement / redesigning / removal according to their flood risk.

River Ribble at Giggleswick Bridge, Settle

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 17 Sub-area 4

Clitheroe

Our key partners are: The issues in this Flood risk within Clitheroe is high sub-area and will rise significantly in the Ribble Valley Borough Council future if action is not taken. The culverted stretches of United Utilities The town of Clitheroe is at risk of flooding from Mearley Brook, need to be addressed to ensure Lancashire County Council stretches of which are culverted (ie, that they are of a sufficient capacity, built over to form an underground and the flood risk associated with river) through the town. The under- the open stretches of Mearley capacity or blockage of these Brook and the River Ribble requires culverted stretches present the further investigation. In addition, most significant flood risk to the aspects such as sewer flooding and town. In addition, the Low Moor highways drainage flooding need area is at risk of flooding from to be considered, and we need the River Ribble. There are 260 to work with our partners to more properties in Clitheroe at risk of fully understand and manage these flooding in a 1% flood event as aspects. well as three schools and one health care facility, due to climate change it is expected to rise to 490 The key messages by the year 2100. There are some • Flood risk is high and is forecast problems related to sewer and to increase in the future due to surface water flooding although this the effects of climate change. is not as severe as in other parts of the catchment. Within Clitheroe, • Clitheroe is at risk of flooding there are 37 properties at risk of from culverted and open flooding in a higher frequency 10% watercourses in the town. flood event, which requires more urgent action. Residents in Clitheroe • We need to work with our and Low Moor are eligible to receive partners to investigate all a flood warning service due to the sources of flood risk within high flood risk. Clitheroe, and use the planning system to discourage floodplain development. The vision and preferred policy

Policy option 5: Areas of moderate to high flood risk where we can generally take further action to reduce flood risk.

18 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Investigate flood risk within Clitheroe, identifying those areas at most risk and propose measures that are economically and environmentally viable.

• Promote the application of rigorous planning control for any new development in and around Clitheroe using the principles in PPS25 and encourage the implementation of SUDS.

• Produce a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) for Clitheroe to help minimise flood risk to future development in the town from all sources of flooding.

• Investigate the causes of surface and sewer flooding in Clitheroe and carry out remedial actions with our partners.

Mearley Brook at Clitheroe

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 19 Sub-area 5

Rural Calder and Darwen

Our key partners are: residents in parts of Higher Walton Within this sub-area, numerous and Whalley are eligible to receive a opportunities exist for habitat Ribble Valley Borough Council flood warning service. In the future creation schemes that could benefit by 2100 we estimate 840 properties flood risk in the downstream Pendle Borough Council will be at risk due to the effects of stretches of the catchment. This Burnley Borough Council climate change. includes the upland moorland areas where the blocking of moorland Borough Council ‘grip’ drainage channels and creation Borough The vision and of wetland habitat could have flood Council risk management benefits. There are preferred policy sites adjacent to the Borough Council Policy option 3: Areas of low to where floodplain areas could be moderate flood risk where we are used for flood storage. Landowners generally managing existing flood Natural England risk effectively. The key messages RSPB Flood risk within much of this large sub-area is relatively low, • Flood risk is generally low and is not forecast to increase although villages such as significantly. It is unlikely that flood Whalley, Trawden and Higher The issues in this risk management measures could Walton are at risk of flooding. sub-area be justified in this sub-area as other • Opportunities exist in the areas have much greater flood risk. sub-area for habitat creation This large, predominantly rural However; the risk of flooding to schemes to benefit flood risk in sub-area has a generally low flood villages such as Whalley and Higher downstream areas. risk which will not rise significantly Walton needs further investigation due to climate change. There are a to determine if any further works • Flood risk is currently being few isolated flood risk problems in can be justified. managed at the correct level, villages such as Trawden, Whalley and as the effects of climate and Higher Walton. Current activities in the sub-area are mainly general maintenance to change are not expected to be In these villages approximately watercourses, such as the removal significant, this level of flood risk 720 properties are at risk in a 1% of blockages and management of management should continue in event, as well as two schools, one vegetation. the future. health care facility and a community centre. Whalley is at risk of flooding from the River Calder, whilst Trawden is at risk from . Higher Walton is at risk of flooding from the River Darwen.

The rest of the sub-area is sparsely populated, with a small number of dispersed properties at risk of flooding. Due to the flood risk River Darwen, Salmesbury at Bottoms

20 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aims are listed below:

• Promote the flood warning service to eligible residents within Higher Walton and Whalley.

• Promote land use / land management projects by landowners to benefit flood risk, via HLS.

• Consider the justification for further measures to manage flood risk in Whalley, accepting that major works are unlikely to be a priority for funding due to the existing standard of protection.

River Calder at Cock Bridge, near Whalley

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 21 Sub-area 6

Calder Urban Areas

Our key partners are: There is also a risk of sewer and within flood risk areas and promote surface water flooding. Parts of the use of Sustainable Drainage Burnley Borough Council Blackburn have a more pronounced Systems (SUDS) within current sewer flooding problem than other and future developments. The Pendle Borough Council parts of the catchment, although authorities should complete Blackburn with Darwen Borough the exact theoretical flood risk from Strategic Flood Risk Assessments Council this source is currently unknown. (SFRAs) for their respective areas to minimise the risk of flooding. United Utilities This sub-area contains seven areas where residents are offered a flood The further promotion of the flood Lancashire County Council warning service, illustrating the high warning service in the sub-area is flood risk. also important.

The issues in this The vision and The key messages sub-area preferred policy • Flood risk is high and will This entirely urban area is at high increase in the future due to risk of flooding. This is due to a Policy option 5: Areas of moderate climate change. variety of factors; heavily culverted to high flood risk where we can watercourses in the sub-area, generally take further action to • The high flood risk in the rapidly reacting upland catchment reduce flood risk. sub-area is due to the heavy upstream, and the flood risk posed Flood risk is already high and culverting of watercourses, by open rivers. Around 4700 is forecast to increase in the as well as the rapidly reacting properties are at risk of flooding future due to climate change, catchment upstream of the sub- in the sub-area, which is forecast and therefore significant action area. to rise to 8200 over the next 100 is required. This will involve work • Significant work is required with years due to the effects of climate by the Environment Agency to change. There are eight schools and our partners to address flood follow up previous studies in risk. seven health care facilities currently investigating the feasibility of flood at risk in a 1% event, with an extra risk management measures. The • Our previous studies in the area three health care facilities at risk restriction to flows presented by will form the basis of our planned in by 2100 due to climate change. the culverted stretches of rivers strategy in the future. Burnley is at risk of flooding from in the sub-area also requires • Sewer flooding in some parts of the River Calder and Brun, Nelson investigation, as does the flood risk the sub-area is more pronounced is at risk from Walverden Water, posed by all potential sources of than in other parts of the and Colne is at risk from Colne flooding. We will work with our key catchment. Water. In addition, Barrowford and partners to more fully understand Lomeshaye are at risk from Pendle the risks posed by sewer and Water, whilst Padiham is at risk from surface water flooding. the River Calder. Blackburn is at risk from the River Blakewater and River Local authorities covering the sub- Darwen, Darwen is at risk from the area need to apply appropriate River Darwen. planning control for developments

22 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Implement the recommendations of our previous studies to reduce flood risk, by carrying out works such as the installation of defences or the opening up of culverts where it is economically justifiable.

• Local authorities to produce SFRAs to cover their areas, to help minimise flood risk to future development from all sources.

• Promote the application of rigorous planning control for any new developments in the sub-area using the principles in Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) and encourage the implementation of SUDS.

• Investigate the causes of surface water flooding and sewer flooding in the sub-area, defining the theoretical risk from these sources and carry out remedial actions.

River Darwen at Blackburn

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 23 Sub-area 7

Accrington & Oswaldtwistle

Our key partners are: The issues in this and the feasibility of carrying out sub-area measures to manage the associated Hyndburn Borough Council flood risk needs to be pursued. The local authority also needs to United Utilities This small, entirely urban area has a relatively high risk of flooding. assist in managing flood risk by Lancashire County Council This is mainly due to the numerous effective control of the planning culverted watercourses in the sub- system to discourage inappropriate area. Around 230 properties are at development on floodplains. risk of flooding, rising to 330 taking Finally, the impact of all sources of into account climate change. One flooding needs consideration, and school, one health care facility, and we will work with our partners to one community centre are also at investigate surface water and sewer risk in a 1% event. Accrington is flooding. at risk of flooding from the , Broad Oak Water, and Antley Syke, whilst Oswaldtwistle The key messages is at risk from Tinker Brook. There • Flood risk is relatively high and is also a risk of sewer and surface will increase in the future due to water flooding. Residents within climate change. parts of Accrington can register for a flood warning service. • The high flood risk in the sub- area is due to heavy culverting of watercourses. The vision and • Major engineering works are preferred policy unlikely to be a priority in this Policy option 4: Areas of low, sub-area, although other works moderate or high flood risk where and actions are likely. we are already managing the flood risk effectively but where we may need to take further actions to keep pace with climate change.

This area has a relatively high flood risk, especially bearing in mind the effects of climate change, and action is required to manage the risk. The flow through the numerous culverts within this sub- area requires further investigation,

24 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Consider options to manage flood risk in the sub-area, accepting that major works are unlikely to be a priority.

• Promote the application of rigorous planning control for any new development in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle using the principles in PPS25 and encourage the implementation of SUDS.

• Local authority to produce a SFRA to cover their areas, to help minimise flood risk to future development from all sources of flooding.

• Investigate the causes of surface water flooding and sewer flooding in the sub-area.

Broad Oak Water, Accrington

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 25 Sub-area 8

Lower Ribble and Fylde Streams

Our key partners are: tidally influenced from the Ribble The impact of the Hesketh Estuary, although very few properties Outmarsh managed realignment Ribble Valley Borough Council are at risk in these locations. scheme on tidal flood risk in the sub-area should be examined to Preston City Council determine if similar projects along Lancashire County Council The vision and the Ribble Estuary could have flood preferred policy risk benefits. Finally, numerous Fylde Borough Council opportunities exist for habitat Policy option 4: Areas of low, creation schemes in this sub-area moderate or high flood risk where with areas of land adjacent to the The issues in this we are already managing the flood River Ribble and its estuary, offering risk effectively but where we may opportunities to develop wetlands sub-area need to take further actions to keep that could yield some flood risk This large and mainly rural sub-area pace with climate change. management benefits. has a relatively low risk of flooding, In the future there is increased flood with 275 properties currently at risk risk due to climate change. Action The key messages and two schools. This number is is required to maintain the current expected to rise to 775 properties level of flood risk. Areas such as • Flood risk is relatively low but will due to the effects of climate change. Ribchester and Salmesbury are at increase in the future due to the In the East of the sub-area, the risk of flooding, studies are required effects of climate change. main areas of flood risk are at to investigate various flood risk • Any major works are unlikely to Ribchester and Salmesbury, which management options and propose be financially viable. are both Flood Warning Areas. a sustainable risk based solution. These locations are at risk from the We need to work in conjunction • Opportunities exist to carry out River Ribble, which flows through with our partners to ensure that land management projects, a flat, meandering floodplain in the planning system discourages create habitat and reconnect this sub-area. In the west of the inappropriate development on the the river to the floodplain with area parts of Warton are at flood floodplain, and that the relevant potential flood risk benefits. risk from Wrea Brook, and isolated local authority produces a SFRA properties along the floodplain of to minimise the risk of flooding Main Drain. This risk is associated to developments. Effective with rivers that discharge into the maintenance of existing defences, Ribble Estuary, and the effect that flood resilience measures, and rising sea levels will have on the the development of the flood ability of these watercourses to fully warning service in Ribchester and discharge during storm events. A Salmesbury will help to reduce the small area just west of Preston is flood risk in the sub-area.

26 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Investigate ways to maintain the level of flood risk in Ribchester in future, accepting that major works are unlikely to be economically viable.

• Promote land use/land management projects by landowners to benefit flood risk, via HLS.

• Complete a feasibility study of suitable sites in the policy unit for floodplain / river restoration and habitat creation, providing possible flood risk benefits.

• Promote the application and use of flood resilience measures to properties currently at risk of flooding.

• Schedule maintenance of existing flood defences in the sub-area to ensure that they retain their standard of protection.

Main Drain at Eastham Bridge

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 27 Sub-area 9

Preston & Walton-le-Dale

Our key partners are: in the area and discharges from The key messages the highway drainage system, this Preston City Council means that intense rainfall events • Flood risk is very high and will can also lead to localised flooding. increase significantly in the South Ribble Borough Council There are four areas in this sub-area future due to climate change. Lancashire County Council where residents can register for the • Numerous sources of flood risk flood warning service. United Utilities exist in the sub-area, including culverted watercourses, direct Lancashire County Council flooding from rivers, and the risk The vision and of flooding from the highways preferred policy drainage system and sewer network. The issues in this Policy option 5: Areas of moderate sub-area to high flood risk where we can • The influence of the Ribble generally take further action to Estuary can have a significant This relatively large sub-area has reduce flood risk. impact on watercourses that a very high risk of flooding, with drain into it during high tide The very high flood risk both now 2,300 properties currently at risk as events. well as five schools, five health care and in the future means that facilities and one community centre. significant work is required to This rises to 5,300 properties in the reduce flood risk. We will take the future due to the effects of climate lead by investigating areas of flood change, with two more schools and risk and highlighting areas where five more community centres also at major works are economically risk. The sources of flood risk vary, justifiable. The SFRA produced by from the risk of direct flooding from Preston City Council should help to the River Ribble in areas of Preston reduce flood risk to developments, and Walton-le-Dale, to the flood risk whilst the planning system associated with culverts in Preston should be used to encourage such as Moor Brook, Swill Brook, the implementation of SUDS and Eaves Brook. In addition, and discourages inappropriate the influence of the tidal Ribble development in floodplain areas. estuary, into which many of the The culverted watercourses in the rivers in this area drain, can lead sub-area require attention, and to rivers ‘backing up’ during high maintenance of existing defences tide conditions, which can increase is also vital in ensuring they remain flood risk as flows start to build up fit for purpose. Finally, the risk of at tidal outlets. flooding from all sources needs consideration, and so we will work The heavily urbanised nature of with our partners to more fully the area means that surface run-off understand the risk of flooding rates are high. When combined from the sewer network and the with the number of sewer overflows highways drainage system.

28 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Investigate flood risk within Preston and Walton-le-Dale, identifying those areas most at risk and highlighting major works and other measures that are economically viable.

• Promote the application of rigorous planning control for any new development in Preston using the principles in PPS25 and encourage the implementation of SUDS.

• Investigate the causes of surface water flooding and sewer flooding in the sub-area to understand their theoretical risk and carry out remedial actions.

• Identify structures such as culverts that cause flow restrictions and prioritise structures for replacement/ redesigning/removal according to their flood risk.

River Ribble at Penwortham Old Bridge, Preston

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 29 Sub-area 10

Blackpool & Lytham St Annes

Our key partners are: The issues in this reduce this risk. Whilst Liggard sub-area Brook already contains flood Fylde Borough Council defences along its lower stretches, investigations are required to Blackpool Borough Council This predominantly urban sub-area contains the large town of Blackpool determine the feasibility of other United Utilities and the smaller town of Lytham St flood risk management options. In Annes. Given its size, flood risk is addition, the local authorities in this Lancashire County Council relatively high with 540 properties sub area will play a key role in using currently at risk, rising significantly their powers to control development to 1940 in the future due to the in flood risk areas. Other sources of effects of climate change, with an flooding such as from the from the extra three schools, two health sewer network and the highways care facilities and two community drainage system need to be better centres are expected to be at understood; with partners working risk. Flood risk is predominantly together on these risks. in Lytham St Annes and is due to the impact of sea level rise on the ability of Liggard Brook to discharge The key messages into the Ribble estuary. The risk of • Flood risk in Lytham St Annes is flooding from rivers in Blackpool high and will rise significantly in is very low, with the main risk in the future due to the effects of the town associated with coastal climate change. flooding from the sea. This aspect is not considered as part this plan and • Liggard Brook presents the is instead addressed in the SMP. biggest risk of flooding, which will increase as levels rise in the Ribble estuary. The vision and • We need to work with our preferred policy partners to reduce flood risk. Policy option 5: Areas of moderate to high flood risk where we can generally take further action to reduce flood risk.

Flood risk is already high, and is projected to significantly increase in the future. Work is required to

30 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement the preferred policy

The essential actions to achieve our policy aim are listed below:

• Investigate the causes of flooding in the Lytham St Annes/Fylde area, and highlight feasible works to reduce flood risk.

• The local authorities in the sub area need to produce Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRAs) and utilise the planning system to discourage inappropriate development on the floodplain. Local authorities need to encourage the implementation of SUDS in new and existing developments.

• Investigate the causes of surface and sewer flooding in Blackpool and Lytham St Annes and carry out remedial actions.

Liggard Brook at Lytham

Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan 31 Map of CFMP policies

32 Environment Agency Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan

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