Poor weather has delayed £1.8M flood defence works.

A flood basin is being created in a public park and protect 200 homes in Horwich town centre.

The work, in Old Station Park and funded by the Environment Agency, started in August and was expected to be completed by December.

The project is designed to tackle a long history of flooding to properties in the town centre from Pearl Brook. 

There have been six reported flooding incidents in the area in the last 20 years and the problem is expected to get worse due to climate change.

Read more: Work to create huge flood basin in public park will start next week

But further plans for a new children’s playground and poor weather have pushed the finish date back.

Bolton Council say the works are set to be completed by the end of April.

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: “The flood alleviation scheme was delayed by a few weeks due to poor weather and the works have been further expanded to include the foundations of a new children’s play area and multi-use games zone.

“The works are scheduled to finish at the end of April, and we thank residents for their patience and understanding during this time.”

Read more: Designs for new children's play park unveiled as part of £1.8M project

Horwich and Blackrod councillor Sue Baines said: “Old Station Park was meant to be finished at the end of December.

“The 5G pitch is still in use but the whole of the park is a bit of a no go, there is so much stuff going on.

“Where the hardstanding is they’ve got the prefabricated huts that the builders are using as offices.

“The gates on Chorley New Road also keep getting left open and people are driving in, thinking it’s a car park.”

Read more: Plan for one-way system as part of multi-million pounds masterplan moves forward

Bolton Council say there will be upgrades to the play area, works to create new footpaths and widen existing ones, more benches and bins, and the enhancement of park entrances, bike stands and outdoor gyms.

This comes after a proposal to implement a one-way system on Winter Hey Lane was revealed earlier this week.

The aim of the plan is to make the top of the street more accessible and more attractive to pedestrians.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at zach.harrison@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @zachhjourno.