The event provided an opportunity for residents to meet the team that are working on the scheme, find out more about the new flood defences and ask questions about upcoming works within the South Ribble area. Refreshments were also available for a small donation with all the money raised donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The team discussed the upcoming works which will affect Riverside Road and showed residents the design plans of the new flood defence wall which is due to be installed. They also showed the before and after pictures of work completed at the allotment and near the Methodist Church. The team installed a new flood defence wall using an in-situ concrete base and precast concrete units. On completion of the work, the area was reinstated to a better standard which has had a very positive impact for users of the surrounding allotments and the church yard.

Local businesses, residents and councillors were all in attendance and showed their support for the upcoming flood defence works. The team also received lots of positive feedback on the scheme so far, which was great to hear.

The team has also launched a children’s colouring competition, to engage younger members of the community, the competition is for children aged 10 and under living in the Preston or South Ribble area. A winner will be chosen from each category; ages 6 years and under and ages 7-10 years. The prize for the younger children will be a small civil engineering model toy and the older children will have the chance to win a remote-control excavator.

Another community event, for the residents of Preston, will also be hosted soon, to discuss the upcoming works in their area.