Longbridge Road flood defence scheme complete

Work to build a new tidal flood defence wall along a section of Longbridge Road, bordering the River Plym, is now complete.

The scheme has been a joint project between Plymouth City Council and the Environment Agency to reduce the risk of flooding in the area and supports Plymouth’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

Designed for Plymouth City Council by its highways contractor Amey, the £270,000 scheme was funded by the Environment Agency through a Flood Defence Grant in Aid allocation.

This area of Longbridge Road had been identified as an area at risk of tidal flooding during extreme weather and the 100-metre long reinforced concrete wall, faced with limestone, will reduce the flood risk for residents in Marsh Close.

The new wall will tie in with existing Environment Agency flood defences upstream and an existing wall alongside the road bridge, which provides flood defence downstream. It replaces an existing wall that was in a poor condition and not designed to withstand future tidal flooding. 

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Making sure Plymouth’s flood defences are secure is of the utmost importance. By working with the Environment Agency we are making sure that this area of the city is protected for generations to come.”