‘Lessons learned’ will be applied to flood schemes
LESSONS LEARNED from the flood alleviation scheme at Mytholmroyd will be taken forward to upcoming schemes at Hebden Bridge and Brighouse.
As well as reflecting on the scheme, Environment Agency area lead Paul Swales also put to rest fears people living in other parts of Calderdale might have about its impact downstream.
Workshops with contractors and stakeholder meetings would play a part and feedback taken into account, including from the EA’s own teams, said Mr Swales.
The completed Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme, opened two weeks ago by EA chair Emma Howard Boyd and Metro Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, took five years to complete but a project of that size, on a constrained site and requiring lengthy traffic management, would normally take twice as long from a standing start, he said.
Key were excellent relationships forged with partners, with a large section of the community and being able to keep the main Burnley Road open, the latter accomplished by creating a chicane on the village’s fire station forecourt, said Mr Swales.
Serious flooding in February 2020, the pandemic and water main bursts were among challenges which had to be worked through. Also important were continuity of staff, appreciated by the public, and a highly visible information centre where people could talk to staff, look at modelling and ask questions, he said.
Managing expectations was also a factor – a project can reduce but not remove the risk completely.
“Overall it was a challenging project to deliver in a short time, but one we are proud of,” said Mr Swales.
The next major scheme, in Hebden Bridge, will begin next summer, also with schemes to specifically address concerns at Stubbing Holme Road and Erringden Hillside.
Also starting next February is a scheme to repair defences at
Brighouse, which will addresses flooding from Clifton Beck with a proposed attenuation basin in Wellholme Park, along with other natural flood management features on tributaries and the Red Beck.
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