A photographer has revealed the progress of the work being carried out at Old Station Park using a drone.
The £1.8m Environmental Agency-funded plans to convert the park's play area into a flood water storage basin were announced in April this year.
It is said that the work will help protect around 200 homes and businesses in an area that has been badly affected by flooding in recent times - most recently on Boxing Day 2015, when several properties were affected in Back Emmett Street.
There have also been five other reported flooding cases in the last 20 years.
Peter Ravald lives close by to the park and, although his house is not one of those at risk of flooding, he decided he would like to capture the progress of the work and display it so people in the community could stay in the loop.
Plans to build flood storage basin on children’s play area in Horwich town centre park
He said: "I fly drones commercially and live a minute away from the park, so I just wanted to see the progress of what was going on from above.
"I will be documenting the work as it progresses."
There have been concerns raised about the work, including the removal of several trees and the removal of the play area - although there are plans for a new on to be put in place by next summer.
Cllr David Grant of Horwich and Blackrod First Independents sits on Horwich Town Council. He says that as far as he's aware the work is on schedule to be completed by December as planned.
He added: "It’s essential work. It’s required and it’s planned.
"Unfortunately, it’s going to cause some disruption for now but it’s going to help save a couple of hundred homes from flooding.
"It is absolutely a good thing for the area. Especially with the new park.
Concerns over Horwich town centre flood defence scheme
"It will be a considerable boon for the area, but you can’t make an omelette without cracking a few eggs."
Peter is an accomplished photographer, both on the ground and from the skies, and has a 2023 calendar with some of his work available. Many of the shots showcase Bolton in all its splendour.
He said: "The calendars are from our local area and mainly around Rivington.
"I have made a calendar which quickly sells out for 3 years. They are available either from my Facebook page or from the Horwich Heritage centre."
Peter's Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/peterravyravald
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18
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