Main entrance to Preston's Miller Park to be temporarily closed while £49m flood defence work takes place

Bosses behind a £49m flood defence scheme have moved to reassure cyclists and pedestrians they won't be cut off from Preston's beauty spots.
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The Environment Agency (EA) has formally submitted plans for the first phase of the South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme, which aims to build 9km of new flood defences to better protect 4,800 homes and 350 businesses.

It has now been announced that to facilitate some of the work, the main entrance to Miller Park - off South Meadow Lane - will have to be diverted temporarily as a new concrete retaining wall will be built along a ramped section of the main cycleway and earth embankment in Miller Park.

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There will also be a new concrete wall on the riverside in front of the Continental pub.

The entrance to Miller Park off South Meadow Lane. Picture from Google.The entrance to Miller Park off South Meadow Lane. Picture from Google.
The entrance to Miller Park off South Meadow Lane. Picture from Google.

>>>For full details about phase one of the scheme, click hereBut concerns have been raised by users of Miller and Avenham Park, as well as the Guild Wheel.

One man said: "Hundreds and hundreds of people walk through these parks, and the Guild Wheel is a fantastic cycle route, recognised nationally.

"I think we need to know what the plans are for access when the work is taking place. When sea defences were being built at Fairhaven, the area was closed off for over 12 months."

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The EA said that while the entrance to Miller Park would be temporarily affected, there were no plans to stop access.

Andy Brown, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency said: “When designing any flood scheme, we aim to not only protect people and property from flooding, but also deliver long term benefits for the community.

“As part of the £49m flood scheme, the entrance to Miller Park will be closed but there will be a short diversion around the works to the existing park entrance on West Cliff under the West Coast Mainline. This means that park users will be diverted through the existing car park on South Meadow Lane after some temporary adaptations.

“We are pleased that both parks remain connected to the route and we will work with Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council and the Guild Wheel Group to ensure that temporary routes are well signposted.”

If plans are passed, work on the scheme is expected to begin in late summer 2021, with completion in 2024.

For more information about the scheme visit: http://www.thefloodhub.co.uk/psr