The EA said no other option was “financially viable”.
“Our priority is protecting hundreds of Walton-le-Dale homes and businesses from the devastating effects of flooding and felling trees is always our last resort,” it said.
“We can’t carry out construction from within the River Ribble due to the risk of causing environmental harm to the river, its wildlife, and the surrounding land.
“Relocating the works further inland is also not feasible, as the road carries essential utilities and regionally significant communications cables.”
Guy Shackleton, of Save the Royal Limes Action Group, said it believed there were alternatives that would “protect the trees and the ecological benefit of them”.
He added it would also prevent 18 months of “complete road closure”.
Shackleton said: “We have engaged… with consultant civil engineers and they have a strong belief there are alternatives that yes, could well incur costs but would prevent the destruction and removal of the trees.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.bbc.co.uk ’
