The Environment Agency has announced an action plan for Mytholmroyd which will see more than £10 million invested in flood defences to better protect homes and businesses.

The new flood alleviation scheme action plan for the town, commissioned by Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, sets out a programme to reduce flood risk to the town, with construction due to start by the end of the year.

The outline plan includes proposals to:

• Raise walls and construct new ones to maximum height of approximately 1.8m
• Widen the channel on the River Calder including improvements to bridge structures
• Strengthen buildings on both banks of the River Calder and Cragg Brook
• Make improvements to the culvert on While Lee Clough
• Measures to soften the visual impact of walls will include the use of glass panels, raised footpaths and landscaping. The local community will now be consulted on the options to ensure the right decisions are made.

Working as part of local flood partnership

In conjunction with developing options to reduce the risk of flooding from the Calder and its tributaries, the Environment Agency said it is also working with partners to develop an understanding of surface water flood risk, and the links with flooding from the highways, sewers and the Rochdale Canal.

The Environment Agency is working with Calderdale Council, local communities and partners as part of a local flood partnership to deliver a new catchment plan for the whole Calder Valley. This will be completed by October 2016 and will build on work done to date and include a review of recent flooding.

Adrian Gill, area flood risk manager at the Environment Agency said:

“We are working closely with partners and the local community to reduce the risk of flooding in Mytholmroyd and we’re keen to progress quickly, with work due to start on site later this year. This action plan marks an important step in setting out our proposals to reduce flood risk and how we will involve the local community in these vital decisions.”

Cllr Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s leader, added:

“We encourage local people and businesses to look at the action plan and get involved through their local flood group and consultation events coming up over the next month. The council continues to work with other organisations to support residents affected by the Boxing Day floods, carry out repairs to damaged infrastructure and help Calderdale to be more prepared for any future flooding.”

On Boxing Day 2015, around 370 properties were flooded in Mytholmroyd as extreme levels of rainfall affected the Upper Calder Valley. Since then, Environment Agency teams have carried out thousands of inspections, made crucial repairs and constructed temporary defences. The action plan will enable the local community to have a say in the permanent flood risk measures for the town.

Elizabeth Truss: "we will not shy away from task in hand"

“I am determined the people of Mytholmroyd have the best possible protection against future flooding and this plan is a key step to making that happen and delivering on our £10 million pledge.”

“The local geography is challenging and there are no simple answers – but we will not shy away from the task in hand. That is why the Environment Agency has developed a plan that will have the biggest impact on saving people’s homes, businesses, and ultimately lives, from future flooding.”

The government recently announced funding of an extra £35 million for flood defences in Calderdale on top of £17million already in the programme.

Waterbriefing is media partner with the Institution of Civil Engineers keynote Flooding and Water Management Conference 2016 taking place in London on Thursday 30th June. Click here  for more information about the conference.

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