A NEW culvert looks set to be constructed - to protect a row of houses in Darwen from flooding.

Plans have been drawn up by the Environment Agency to build a channel near Clough Street, to guard against any future flood risk.

Environment officials say the work is required following the decommissioning of nearby Jacks Key reservoir.

Six homes along a stretch of Clough Street used to benefit from relief

Applicant Charlotte Kelsey said the plan was to install a bypass option, to provide relief to the existing drainage system, during potential floods.

Under the scheme, the channel would serve as an offshoot to the River Darwen, which runs underneath Watery Lane and along the Clough Street frontage.

The new culvert, measuring 1,500mm in diametere, would run for around 80 metres along the rear of the existing homes before rejoining the watercourse later on.

Ms Kelsey added: "There will be a demolition of an existing building on site which is currently used for storage."

Restoration work for the nearby reservoir area, at a costs of £2.4million, to create a new nature area, was completed in 2017.

Some of the surrounding land is now part of the Duchy of Lancaster after a past owner went bankrupt.