Derby's second phase of flood defences set to start after £35m Government boost

A photo of the Stuart Street office blocks, which would be demolished to make way for the Derby Riverside project. if left in place, would become isolated by fast-moving flood water on all sides in a one in 100 year flood event.
-Credit:Derby Telegraph


Funding of £35 million is to be given to Derby City Council to continue work to strengthen the city's flood defences. The £95 million Our City Our River (OCOR) flood defence project has been ongoing since 2013 and plans are in hand to develop the £41 million Derby Riverside second phase.

This involves the demolition of four major office blocks and the creation of a new flood wall running from Causey Bridge through to the rail track at Derwent Bridge and planning permission for this phase of the OCOR project was given almost a year ago. The plans will complete the next phase of flood alleviation work in the east of Derby.

It will secure the future of Derby Riverside, which will deliver significant flood resilience protection to many properties along the east bank of the Derwent. It will now go to city council cabinet to be formally accepted and allows the council to enter into contract with construction partners.

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The £35 million boost has been released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) from their Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Investment Programme and will be managed by the Environment Agency on their behalf.

Derby saw river levels reach their highest point ever recorded in 2023 during Storm Babet, and the flood gates and defences built during earlier phases of OCOR were called into action.

Derby Riverside will deliver enhanced protection along the east bank of the river, starting at Causey Bridge and ending at the Railway Bridge across the river. The new flood wall and flood gates will offer far better protection for Exeter House and properties on Meadow Road and Meadow Lane, as well as unlocking the potential for regeneration in this part of the city.

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Councillor Carmel Swan, council cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said: "It’s incredible news for Derby that this funding package has been allocated by the government to protect our city from the risk of flooding. This will be such welcome news for households and businesses alike.

"We can now really start to push ahead with the works at Derby Riverside as we continue to future proof the city against extreme weather. Here in Derby, we’re all too familiar with the effects of climate change. In the last six years we have seen the five highest river levels on record. The OCOR flood prevention scheme has already delivered enhanced protection to thousands of properties, but there is still more work to do to ensure our city has the best defences possible."

The next stage will also provide enhanced protection to businesses such as Rolls-Royce, which is planning to expand its riverside site at Raynesway. Terry Meighan, director, infrastructure at Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: "We continue to work closely with Derby City Council and the Environment Agency on future flood defences, which will protect our Raynesway site and play an important role in our expansion plans.

This drone shot shows the flooding around the Exeter Arms (shown here almost in the centre of the shot), Exeter Street, Exeter House and Meadow Road in October 2023. -Credit:Chris Burrows
This drone shot shows the flooding around the Exeter Arms (shown here almost in the centre of the shot), Exeter Street, Exeter House and Meadow Road in October 2023. -Credit:Chris Burrows

"The work we do helps protect the UK by powering the Royal Navy’s fleet of nuclear submarines and defending against flooding helps us maintain our delivery commitments to the UK Ministry of Defence."

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Phase two will involve the demolition of the riverside office blocks on Stuart Street to create a new riverside green area, providing more space for water to pass through the city in a controlled corridor during a flood event. The council is currently working with affected businesses to acquire the necessary land.

Alex McDonald, strategic senior flood risk management advisor at the Environment Agency, said: "We know the devastating effect that flooding can have on communities and businesses including within Derby City.

"The Derby Riverside element will replace aging flood defences in the city, provide space for water and help to transform the city centre. As the project moves into its next phase we will continue to support Derby City Council to deliver this vital infrastructure for the city centre, helping the city to keep pace with our changing climate."

Within the Government's £2.65 billion flooding package nationally, a further £2.5m of support will be given to flood resilience schemes across Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Details of what this will pay for will be published in Spring.

Baggy Shanker, MP for Derby South, said: "Derby knows that we can’t afford to be complacent when it comes to flooding - it can devastate lives, ruin homes and threaten businesses. For over a decade, I’ve been campaigning for the funding we need to protect our city from flooding.

Under-Secretary of State for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy, with Derby MPs, Catherine Atkinson and Baggy Shanker
Under-Secretary of State for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy, with Derby MPs, Catherine Atkinson and Baggy Shanker -Credit:Submitted

"It’s fantastic that this Labour Government has listened to our city and is delivering this record £35 million package into strengthening our flood defences to better secure our city and its future. This welcome support will be a relief to residents and businesses alike to know they are safer from the threat of flooding."

Catherine Atkinson, MP for Derby North, added: "Alongside my Derby colleague Baggy Shanker MP, I have been working with the Minister for Flooding, Derby City Council and the Environment Agency on building our flood resilience because we, like residents, recognise just how critical this infrastructure is."