The Environment Agency has published its ‘Blue Corridor’ vision for Derby and the Lower Derwent Flood Risk Management Strategy.

The strategy, which describes the best way to manage flood risk in the Lower Derwent valley and through Derby, takes into account work already done by Derby City Council on the city’s development masterplan.

The Flood Risk Strategy looks at the River Derwent from Milford and then downstream to where it joins the River Trent. Working with Derby’s masterplan objectives, it identifies proposals for reducing flood risk over the next hundred years as well as looking at what needs to be done in the short term.

The Environment Agency said that each option has been considered for its technical feasibility, economic viability, health and safety implications and environmental acceptability. A preferred option has been chosen based on these criteria.

The Agency is also assessing the potential impacts on the World Heritage Site of Darley Abbey, on archaeology, scheduled ancient monuments, protected species of wildlife and the landscape and visual impacts.

This includes looking at ways of reducing significant environmental effects resulting from the preferred option, including the design and location of embankments and other structures, how protected species are safeguarded and how archaeological remains can be identified before they are disturbed or lost.

The Agency said the next step is working with local communities, especially in Derby city centre, to decide on the best line for flood defences to follow - a consultation will be held when an alignment that meets the flood risk management objectives is in place.

Area Flood Risk Manager, Innes Thomson, said:

“The Lower Derwent Strategy encourages people to look, not just at how we reduce flood risk, but how we do so in a way that will make Derby a better place to live and work in the future.

“We want the river to be an integral part of the urban environment in a way that can be enjoyed by people, and that improves the natural environment. This is our ‘Blue Corridor’ vision for Derby.

“We will continue to work with Derby City and the various local communities to identify the best line for the defences to follow. Through Derby we will be relying on the local communities to help us define the detailed alignment for flood defences, based on the general concepts and constraints we have presented in this strategy.”