Flood Risk Management

The scheme will install two new pipes, additional to the existing drainage gullies, which will redirect fluvial (river) floodwater back into the River Holme further downstream increasing the Standard of Protection from a 1:25 to 1:50 year event.

The improvements will increase the rate at which floodwater can drain away, reducing the depths of flood water more quickly, and reduce the flood risk to 28 businesses on Albert Street and Queens Mill Road in Huddersfield, which were impacted by river flooding in February 2022.

Construction is expected to be completed by June 2025.

The scheme has been developed by Kirklees Council, in collaboration with the Environment Agency and will provide an economic benefit of £1,261,345.

The scheme will achieve an estimated net carbon reduction arising from the delivery and operation of the scheme of 41 tCO2e over a 50-year appraisal period.

The scheme delivers a BCR of 2.3:1 and is expected to deliver high value for money.

The Combined Authority will be working with Kirklees Council and the Environment Agency and their partners to deliver the following outputs.

Project Outputs:

• Construct 280 linear metres of new pipework to divert flood waters back to the river
• Engagement with the local business owners

The Brighouse flood alleviation scheme aims to improve flood resilience in Brighouse and the surrounding areas. It involves repairing and replacing flood defences along the River Calder, and landscaping and environmental improvements at Wellhome Park and Whinney Hill Park to reduce the risk of flooding from Clifton Beck.

The scheme aims to reduce the risk of flooding to 55 residential and 359 non-residential properties, reduce the risk of disruption to the transport network from flood events, and improve 55 hectares of wildlife habitat.

The scheme will be delivered through the Single Investment Fund (SIF), Investment Priority 3 gainshare allocation.

The Combined Authority will be working with the Environment Agency and their partners to deliver the following outputs.

Project Outputs:

• Reduced flood risk to 55 homes
• Reduced flood risk to 359 commercial or other properties
• 2 tonnes of CO 2 per year carbon sequestration in local vegetation
• 250 trees planted
• 1.56 hectares of woodland enhanced through management
• 1.61 hectares of land rehabilitated to a better conservation status
• 1.56 hectares of wetland restored and created
• 2 hectares of new woodland created

Chellow Dene is located in Allerton, West Bradford where an urban artificial wetland was created in 2005. However, 18 properties are located in a potential flood zone. There have been two records of prior flooding incidents in this area and sheltered housing makes up a large proportion of the households. The aims of this project were to mitigate flood risk while also improving biodiversity, thus making the beck more pleasant for all that visit it. 

The Combined Authority worked with the Aire Rivers Trust and their partners to deliver the following outputs:  

• Excavate 185m3 to increase capacity of the wetlands.  
• Create a wild meadow covering 300m2, increasing biodiversity. 

• Minimise bankside erosion using fascines and woven mesh, so less sediment enters the water. 

• Removal of weir and creating a new meander, increasing capacity and slowing the flow. This allows fish to pass freely within the beck.

• Engagement with local scout troops by helping plant trees and learning about natural flood management. 

• Opportunities for local volunteers to help carry out the work.  

This video, courtesy of the Aire River’s Trust, shows the work that has been undertaken.

The Landscapes for Water scheme will implement natural flood management interventions in upland areas around Marsden Moor. It aims to manage the sources and pathways of flood waters, slowing the flow of water into rivers and reducing the risk of flooding further downstream. The land is severely degraded, showing extensive areas of exposed peat soils and artificially drained landscapes. This causes soil erosion, loss of carbon and biodiversity, as well as a reduced ability to hold water.

Project Outputs:

• Up to 3,500 NFM dams to temporarily store water / slow the flow of water
• Creation of 35 pools to provide additional water storage
• Construction of 35 fascines (long bundles of sticks of wood or plastic bound together) to strengthen riverbanks, reduce erosion and encourage natural vegetation growth
• 25 community NFM days to engage with up to 150-200 people at each event, to raise awareness of flood management activities
• 15 NFM collaboration events to contribute to learning and best practice around techniques and interventions to improve understanding for future scheme
• Increasing flood resilience to approximately 1,381 homes and business in the Calder and Colne catchment areas
• Restoring the landscape across the catchment areas, increasing biodiversity, and improving resilience to climate change
• Improve the understanding of relationships between catchment management and flooding

The scheme is part of a wider Landscapes for Water Programme which aims to restore habitats, increase biodiversity and provide resilience to climate change being delivered by the National Trust in conjunction with Yorkshire Water and the White Rose Forest.

The Sheepscar Beck flows through a channel through Leeds City Centre and consists of a series of culverts, and canal like sections and is in a poor condition.

Failure of the channel walls would lead to blockages within the channel and culverts and an increase in flood risk to 51 residential and 255 commercial properties.

The scheme has been developed by Leeds City Council, in collaboration with the Environment Agency and will provide an economic benefit of £32,796,379.

The scheme will achieve an estimated net carbon reduction arising from the delivery and operation of the scheme of 2,439 tCO2e over a 50-year appraisal period.

The scheme delivers a BCR of 7.9:1 and is expected to deliver high value for money.

Construction is expected to be completed by April 2025.

The Combined Authority will be working with Leeds City Council, the Environment Agency and their partners to deliver the following outputs.

Project Outputs:

• Refurbish 670 linear metres of Sheepscar Beck watercourse
• Plant new trees to replace those removed as a necessity during construction at a ratio at 3:1
• Plant 50m2 of native plants
• Install 5nr bird and bat boxes in the watercourse vicinity
• Install 164 linear metres of new fencing

The project aims to reduce the risk of flooding by building upon previous investment in the catchment over the past three years as part of the wider Live Streaming Leeds partnership project, led by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) and working jointly with Leeds City Council (LCC) and Yorkshire Water. It will deliver flood risk mitigation benefits to frequently flooded communities and complement a traditional flood alleviation scheme that is being developed by LCC and the EA downstream in the catchment. By delivering well designed and located interventions, the project will also address the habitat and water quality issues that prevent the Wortley Beck waterbody from achieving ‘good’ status under the Water Framework Directive and improve the amenity value of the publicly owned woodlands.

The Combined Authority will be working with the Environment Agency and its partners to deliver the following outputs.

Project Outputs:

• 27 km of river surveyed
• 14 km of watercourse enhanced
• 85 leaky dams installed
• 160 silt traps installed
• 1000 trees and hedges planted
• 95 hectares of woodland enhanced through management
• 44.5 hectares of wetland restored or created
• 128 landowners engaged
• 85 volunteers engaged
• 3 community events held