Resurfaced Millennium path reopens as part of the £12.2M Caton Road, Lancaster Flood Risk Management Scheme

Lancaster City Council and the Environment Agency are pleased to confirm that the Millennium path along the River Lune has reopened.

The path was closed temporarily to allow for the construction of new fluvial flood defences to protect homes and businesses in Lancaster. More than 1,100 business properties will benefit from the scheme through the benefit to surrounding roads and infrastructure.

The entire 2,620 linear metres of cycle path, closed as part of the scheme, has been resurfaced which ensures it is fit for future use. 600 tonnes of tarmac has been laid and we have incorporated seven ramped areas as part of the flood defence into the path to ensure the route is accessible for all. 

Three dangerous buildings and an old water treatment works have also been removed along the riverside. Landscaping and tree planting along the route has been completed in time for bird nesting season and 30 bat boxes are due to be installed. Two otter holts have also been created. Grass seeding will continue and the installation of new park benches and litter bins will be installed in the coming weeks.

A temporary diversion has been in place along Caton Road during the closure of the path. The diversion will remain as a positive legacy of the scheme and provide a permanent, alternative cycle path with the new footways and toucan crossing remaining in place.

The project team secured £3.85M in European Regional Development Funding as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 towards the scheme. This means that the defences have been delivered around two years earlier as a result.

The construction of the scheme was impacted by the flooding in February 2020, by difficult ground conditions due to the historic use of the industrial estates, and freezing weather at the start of this year. Construction did not stall and continued in line with Covid-19 restrictions and throughout lockdown.

The project will now continue into 2022 to deliver additional surface water flood mitigation for our communities. Work has already started to understand what will be delivered. It is hoped that our communities will now enjoy the reopened route as part of the Easter break.

What work has been undertaken

• £3.85M of European Regional Development Funding has been achieved as part of the funding package. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
• Work has included the construction of new flood walls and embankments to directly better protect over 1100 businesses and residential properties through reduced flooding to infrastructure such as bridges and roads.
• 2.5km of new walls and embankment has been constructed along the left and right banks of the River Lune by VolkerStevin Boskalis Atkins (VBA)

• The government has recently announced a record £5.2 billion investment in flood and coastal defences – double the previous investment – to protect 336,000 properties, and the EA’s FCRM strategy will prepare us for more extreme weather and build a better prepared and more resilient nation. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-strategy-for-england--2

 

Last updated: 01 April 2021