EU cash to help push ahead on flood prevention

BRIGHOUSE is to be protected from future flooding, thanks to millions of pounds of funding from the EU.

The town was devastated along with many other Calderdale villages by the Boxing Day floods of 2015.

The Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme is part of a programme of flood prevention and resilience investment across the borough.

In total, works in excess of £100m are in development, with a further £20m recently secured for schemes across Calderdale.

Members are now being asked to approve plans to pursue a bid for an additional £3m of funding from the European Structural and Investment Fund.

This would be used to support a major scheme to improve the flood resilience of both residential and business premises in Brighouse.

If successful, the funding would be used to progress a number of planned improvements in the town.

This would include the refurbishment and replacement of existing flood protection measures and the installation of new features along the River Calder.

This first phase of the scheme will also include work on lower Clifton Beck, addressing specific issues around Phoenix Bridge and Mill Lane.

Further work would take place on the watercourse through Wellholme Park.

Wider catchment work would also be developed, with plans in place around Red Beck and its tributaries and at Cromwell Bottom.

The work would significantly improve the protection from flooding to almost 60 homes and more than 250 businesses.

It would also improve the environment around the Armytage Road industrial area, allowing new and existing businesses to flourish.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and resources Jane Scullion said: “It’s great news that we have an opportunity to progress flood alleviation works in Brighouse.”

The Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale’s cabinet on Monday, November 4, at Halifax Town Hall, from 6pm.