Campaigners against the proposals for a weir across the river as part of the £800m Riverworks regeneration project have warned that placing it at a site south of Freckleton would create problems along the Fylde coast.

The group has previously spoken out about the flood threat to Preston and South Ribble and its environmental advisers have now said that areas of the Fylde, including Freckleton and Lytham, could be at risk.

Spokesman Jane Brunning said the warning underlined the message that the barrage was not just an issue in Preston and South Ribble, but right across Lancashire.

She said: "Any changes to the flow or direction of the river is going to have an effect. We understand that previous changes in this area have led to the river running further away from towns like Lytham.

"If you change this, the flood risk for those towns and villages will undoubtedly be increased, and that counts right along the Fylde coast.
"We have had people getting in touch with us from the Fylde who are deeply concerned about the effects of tinkering with nature."

A site south of Freckleton, where the Ribble meets the River Douglas, is believed to be the preferred option for the barrage.

Other possible sites include one close to the Ribble Link on Riversway, Preston, one near the Bull's Nose on Preston Docks, and a site just upstream from the dock, closer to the city centre.
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