Plans for huge new embankment alongside River Irwell in Bury to help protect homes from flooding

A 60 metre-long earth embankment is set to be built along a stretch of the River Irwell to link newly built flood defences to higher ground.

The Environment Agency has lodged plans for the scheme in the Redvales area of Bury.

The Bury Point embankment tie in is part of the second phase of flood protection measures after phase one was completed.

The flood defence work was commissioned after December 26, 2015 when a major flood event occurred on the River Irwell, measured by nearby gauging stations as the highest on record.

The resulting damage was extensive and affected more than 700 homes, businesses and critical infrastructure including electricity substations and mains cables.

It caused a power outage to around 1,500 properties and affected Bury’s main wastewater treatment works which heavily polluted the flood water with sewage.

What are the latest flood defence plans in Bury?

The latest plans support a planning application for the construction of an earth embankment by the river at Bury Point which extends beyond the boundary of the previously consented scheme.

The embankment will tie into the existing flood defence structure.

The phase one works included a series of sheet piled walls and embankments, on the southern extent of Bury and the northern extent of Radcliffe, at Close Park and Dumers Lane.

A planning statement in support of the latest scheme, said: “The proposals comprise the construction of an earth embankment to connect an existing low flood defence wall to the north to high ground to the south.

“The structure will act to complete a flood defence structure to the private premises to the north.

“The embankment will be approximately 60 metres in length with a maximum height of two metres and will be constructed of imported slightly cohesive granular material.

“The embankment is to be a permanent structure upon completion.”

Access to the works area will be via private business land operated by DHL, using DHL’s private access road to the north of the site off Bury Road.

Planners at Bury Council will consider the application in the coming weeks.