FLOOD defences along the Mersey in Warrington costing £34m have officially been completed.

After five years of work, the final of three phases of flood defences along the river was unveiled in a ceremony on Paddington Green on Friday, January 26.

More than 2,000 homes and business in the town – in Latchford, Howley, Paddington, Cinnamon Brow, Woolston, Westy and Orford – will be protected by the scheme, one of the biggest such projects in the north west in recent years.

Lee Rawlinson, area director at the Environment Agency, said: “Historically, Warrington has been no stranger to flood given it sits in naturally low lying land and within the path of the Mersey.

“The new flood defences will bring peace of mind to hundreds of families and businesses across the town who have experienced flooding in the past, and we are aware of the major destruction it can bring.

“Parts of the scheme have been effectively operating for some time.

“Phase one – the Knutsford Road section – was put to the test during the 2013 December high tides, preventing some 200 properties from being flooded.

“The predicted cost of the damage to properties that would have otherwise occurred covered the actual cost of this section of the scheme.”

In 2009, the National Flood Risk Assessment showed that Warrington had the 10th highest number of properties at risk of flooding in the country.

This risk has been reduced to one per cent in any given year thanks to the 7.2km of defences, which comprises of 5.5km of flood walls and 2.2km of embankments.

The scheme also saw the widening and clearing of impassable footpaths, tree planting, the realignment of the Twiggeries at Padgate Brook to attract wildlife and improvements to the entrance of Victoria Park.

Floods minister Therese Coffey said: “Warrington’s new £34m flood scheme will reduce the flood risk to over 2,000 homes and businesses and protect vital infrastructure, helping to bring investment to the area.

“This scheme is an excellent example of how working together with councils and local businesses allows us to make the most of government funding to secure the best possible defences for communities.

“By 2021, we will have invested £47m in flood defences to better protect 4,280 homes in Cheshire.”

The project was funded by the Environment Agency, government grants, Warrington Borough Council and Scottish Power.

Cllr Hans Mundry, Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for the public realm, said: “The work done by the Environment Agency will bring peace of mind to many Warrington people as we were together to protect homes and businesses along the Mersey.

“It is more than just functional though, as you will see if you take a walk by the river – it is an attractive addition to the waterfront and has improved the ecology and helped protect wildlife in the area.”

In attendance at the unveiling of phase three of the flood defences were Warrington North MP Helen Jones, the Mayor of Warrington Cllr Les Morgan and Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan.

He said: “The scheme not only brings flood risk benefits, but the work in the area is also good news for walkers, birdwatchers and wildlife.

“It’s been great to see the Environment Agency working together in partnership to better protect Warrington, a fine example of what can be achieved by working with others.

“These new flood defences will not only benefits hundreds of homes and businesses in the area but will also safeguard critical infrastructure, vital in keeping the town moving.”

Watch the unveiling here: