Demolitions and tree felling for flood defences

Buildings will be demolished and trees pulled up in the centre of Derby for a flood defence scheme.

Clearance work alongside the River Derwent is under way for the second phase of the Derby Riverside work, which Derby City Council said was "one of the city's biggest infrastructure projects".

Land is being cleared between the A601 Causey Bridge and the Derwent Bridge rail crossing, including the demolition of Peat House, Epworth House and Derwent Centre in Stuart Street and Crompton House in Derwent Street.

A new flood wall, floodgates and a riverside green area will then be built, said the council, to provide "a controlled corridor for flood waters" to pass through.

Climate change lead councillor Carmel Swan said Derby had seen its five highest recorded river levels over the past five years.

She added: "We saw the damage caused by Storm Babet on the left bank of the river, and the need for action is clear.

"With these works we will continue to protect properties and future proof our city."

Robin Metcalf, regional director at contractor John Sisk & Son, said workers would be hired locally and the project would make "a positive local impact".

The work will lead to the "unavoidable" removal of trees in the way of the wall or which could obstruct the flow of water, with permission in place to remove more than 200.

But the council said this was the "worst-case scenario" and it would aim to "keep as many as possible", while tree planting would offset any losses elsewhere in the city.

The council said phase one of the project with the Environment Agency was carried out between 2015 and 2019.

It included flood alleviation measures being built between the Alfreton Road Industrial Estate and Sowter Road to protect more than 2,000 properties.

A further phase is planned for the area between Chaddesden Sidings and Raynesway on the Derwent's north bank and at Alvaston Park on the south side by 2027.

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