Resurfaced Millennium path reopens as part of £12.2m Lancaster flood prevention scheme

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 seven ramped areas have been incorporated 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 the community.