New bridge in village’s major flood alleviation scheme opens
A NEW multi million pound bridge – a major part of a key Calder Valley flood alleviation scheme – has opened.
The new Caldene Bridge, designed to help reduce flood risk in Mytholmroyd, was unveiled to motorists and pedestrians on Monday.
A milestone in the £35 million Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme which will better protect around 400 properties, the existing Caldene Bridge will start to be demolished shortly after and excavation work is already underway to widen this section of the River Calder.
All work is being carried out in line with government and industry
There is still more to do but this is a key part of in the overall work to make the valley safer.
guidance for safe working during the coronavirus pandemic.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Resources, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) said partners were very pleased to see another major component of the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation scheme nearing completion.
“The scale and complexity of this project cannot be overemphasised, and we would like to thank those who live in, work in and travel through the area for their continued patience during this important work to help protect the village from future flooding.
“There is still more to do but this is a key part of in the overall work to make the valley safer,” she said.
The area beneath the new bridge will be nearly twice the size of the old bridge, which will help better protect homes and businesses from the risk of flooding in the future.
Replacement of the existing Caldene Bridge is a vital part of the Mytholmroyd flood defences as the old bridge was a major constriction to flood flow, and contributed towards the Boxing Day 2015 flood deluge which cuased widespread damage in the village, say scheme partners
Calderdale Council and the Environment Agency.
Widening the river channel at Calder Grove will have a significant benefit for reducing flood risk in the village – which was flooded again when Storm Ciara hit Calderdale this February – and this required a new wider bridge.
The new bridge has been built at the widened channel, 30 metres upstream of the existing bridge.
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