Cash for flood-hit sites
£1.3M TO BE SPENT IN THE COLNE AND CALDER VALLEYS TO TACKLE PROBLEM
THREE years on from the devastating Boxing Day floods which affected more than 3,000 properties in the Calder Valley, a further £1.3m will be spent on defences.
The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which has powers over transport, economic development and regeneration, have agreed funds to be to protect more than 2,000 homes and more than 1,000 businesses in the Colne and Calder Valleys.
With a total cost of £2.6m, the investment will introduce measures to mimic natural flood management, including increased woodland cover, peat restoration at Wessenden Head, Marsden Moor and Gorpley Reservoir, near Todmorden, as well as the introduction of small dams in the outlet streams at all three sites, helping to slow the flow of water across the catchment and reduce peak flows. Work will start on site next month, with expected completion by December 2020.
They are planned at multiple locations in the Colne and Calder river catchments, including Gorpley, Wessenden and beautyspot, Hardcastle Crags, near Hebden Bridge.
Work is also taking place in Mytholmroyd, Halifax, and is due to complete in spring 2020.
Clr Tim Swift, Leader of Calderdale Council, said: “This flood alleviation scheme will not only help prevent the devastating impact of flooding on our local communities and economy, it will also create improved habitats that wildlife and local people can all enjoy.
“However, with 7,385 homes and 4,698 businesses still at high risk of flooding in our region, we need further investment to ensure we offer the best possible protection to our local communities.”
Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “Ensuring that people’s homes and businesses are kept safe from extreme weather is central to building a Northern Powerhouse that’s fit for the future.
“This £1.3m investment will go towards a vital scheme to help protect over 2,000 homes and over 1,000 businesses in the Colne and Calder Valleys from flooding and provide reassurance to local people.
Mike Innerdale, director for conservation charity, the National Trust in the North, which is leading the natural flood management project said: “We’re delighted to receive support for our conservation ambitions in West Yorkshire.
“Working in partnership,