St. Leonard’s Primary School. Image, Environment Agency

Children at three local primary schools have new educational and playground equipment, thanks to the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme (P&SR FRMS).

The scheme used Department for Education (DfE) funding to deliver a trio of SuDS schemes, worth tens of thousands of pounds.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) help reduce flood risk by temporarily storing rainwater during storms and reducing the flow and reducing surface water run-off.

The beneficiaries are:

• Frenchwood Community Primary School, Preston
• Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School, Penwortham
• Leonard’s Primary School, Walton-le-Dale

St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Primary School. Image, Environment Agency

Items installed include living roof gazebos; potting tables; planters; trees; play equipment; and even an outdoor stage.

Headteacher at St. Leonard’s CoE Primary School, Kay Proctor, said: “We are delighted with the work that has taken place.

“The new play area will be a huge asset to our school and will greatly enhance the learning experiences of the children, giving them an exciting, bright environment to explore and develop in, while at the same time helping to reduce the risk of flooding.”

A number of other community benefits are being delivered by the Preston & South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme. These include planting more than 8,000 trees on the riverbank and Fishwick Bottoms; and the creation of a small, insect-friendly wetland at Ribble Sidings.

Last year, the revamped Broadgate Gardens was also re-opened.

Construction of the P&SR FRMS began in 2022 and, when complete, thousands of properties will be better protected from flooding between Broadgate and Walton-le-Dale.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.

Frenchwood Community Primary School