Two Flood Alleviation Schemes (FASs) in Louth and Horncastle which collectively reduce flood risk to over 350 properties have been formally opened on 28 July, following successful completion of the projects.

Construction on the £6.5m Louth scheme and the £8.1m Horncastle scheme started in summer 2015, and were finalised this month. The two projects were delivered in a partnership of the Environment Agency, Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council, Anglian Water and the Lindsey Marsh and Witham Third Internal Drainage Boards. Louth and Horncastle Town Councils will fund ongoing maintenance on the schemes. The development of the two schemes was led by the Environment Agency, with construction being carried out by its contractors.

Communities in Louth and Horncastle were significantly affected by the floods of summer 2007, when over 200 properties in the area were flooded. Close partnership working has since helped fund and made the two Flood Alleviation Schemes possible.

The Horncastle Flood Alleviation Scheme consists of a single flood storage reservoir on the River Bain, upstream of the town of Horncastle. As part of this scheme, a number of residents whose homes are at risk of flooding from the river Waring were offered property-level flood protection, such as air brick covers and flood doors. The Louth Flood Alleviation Scheme consists of a flood storage reservoir on the Northern branch of the River Lud, and one on the Southern branch of the river.

In addition to reducing flood risk to hundreds of properties in Louth and Horncastle, the two schemes also deliver benefits to the environment. In Horncastle, partners have created a large lake and wetland area which will provide a habitat for water voles. At the reservoirs in Louth, additional water vole habitat will also be created.

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey said:

These flood schemes are fantastic news for Lincolnshire, giving hundreds of people in Louth and Horncastle precious peace of mind. And there is more development to come across the county, with £160 million planned investment here over the next four years to better protect around 30,000 homes.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

I am delighted that our partnership work with the community and local authorities in Louth and Horncastle will reduce flood risk to over 350 properties and support wildlife.

People here understand the devastating impact of flooding and the tenth anniversary of the 2007 floods is a timely reminder of the real threat posed by severe weather. I ask everyone to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and look for advice about flooding on GOV.uk.

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economy and Place at Lincolnshire County Council, said:

One of the council’s top priorities is protecting our residents from flooding. That’s why we’re working hard with our partners to do everything we can to reduce the risk to Lincolnshire homes. The opening of these new defences is a testament to the hard work of all involved, and will make a significant difference to the lives of people living in these communities. I’m delighted we’ve been able to make this happen.

Cllr Eddy Poll, Executive Member for Environmental Management at Lincolnshire County Council and Chairman of the Anglian Northern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, said:

We all know the kind of devastation flooding can cause within a community – that’s why projects like this are so vital. These new defences will protect hundreds of local families from the misery and disruption that flooding brings. It’s impossible to prevent flooding entirely, but we’ll continue to work with our partners to ensure that local communities are as well-defended and well-prepared as possible.

The Leader of the East Lindsey District Council, Councillor Craig Leyland said:

This is an important milestone in the work of the Environment Agency jointly with other authorities and we have been extremely pleased to have contributed £1million to these essential schemes to help reduce the risk of flooding to our residents and businesses. After the devastating flooding that we have seen in 2007, we hope that these schemes will give residents greater peace of mind and protection from the risk and threat of flooding in the future.

The Mayor of Louth, Councillor Pauline Watson said:

Louth is celebrating the increased flood protection for the town which is the culmination of ten years of heartfelt campaigning and unprecedented partnership working, both between statutory bodies and ordinary townsfolk.

These applications have been submitted by the site operator to bring the site into line with the current regulations for conventional oil and gas sites. This is part of the Environment Agency’s review of all oil and gas permits granted prior to October 2013.

In deciding whether or not to issue the permits, the Environment Agency will take into account all relevant considerations and legal requirements.

You can view and comment on the applications.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

An environmental permit sets out stringent conditions that a site must adhere to. We will not issue or vary an environmental permit for a site if we consider that activities taking place will cause significant pollution to the environment or harm to human health.

We are in the process of determining the applications to re-permit this site and we want to hear from the public and understand peoples’ views. Everybody has the chance to see what the permit may look like and to raise any additional concerns before we make any final decision.

For all media enquiries please contact 0800 141 2743 or email Southeastpressoffice1@environment-agency.gov.uk.

The main structure of a new footbridge over the River Aire is making progress as a mobile crane lifts in the decks of the bridge section later this week.

The footbridge, part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, is being constructed over the moveable weirs that are already in position at Knostrop.

The four bridge sections, are due to be installed this week and will be lifted into place by a 500 tonne crane. Once these are in place there will be 4 weeks of finishing work.
The new bridge structure will weigh approximately 150 tonnes and span approximately 70 metres. Designed by Knight Architects, the bridge has a sinuous form to reflect the movement of water over the new Knostrop Weir. It has been positioned to provide dramatic views of the weir in operation. The very narrow piers and curving underside of the bridge deck are designed to give the bridge a slender appearance when viewed from up or downstream.

The new footbridge is being installed to reconnect the much-used Trans Pennine Trail, following the removal of a section of island between the River Aire and Aire and Calder Navigation for flood risk reduction purposes.

Construction of the new Trans Pennine Trail along the north bank of the river will begin once the bridge has been installed. The new route of the Trans Pennine Trail will be opened on completion of the project in September.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said:

It is very pleasing to see the new Knostrop footbridge being installed as part of the final touches of the first phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The bridge design is very attractive and striking, and will offer some fantastic views over the River Aire and of the new moveable weirs which I’m sure people will be keen to come and see for themselves.

Aside from the reassurance this scheme will offer to residents and businesses against the risk of flooding, it also brings important leisure and environmental benefits due to the views of the river as well as reconnecting the improved Trans Pennine Trail, offering the chance to see otters, salmon and other wildlife making the most of the improving water quality and access down river open for the first time in over 200 years.

At Knostrop, all three moveable weirs are now complete and fully operational. Similar weirs are also being constructed upstream at Crown Point as part of phase 1 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme.

Fish passes have been constructed on the new weirs at Knostrop and Crown Point, to help fish overcome these barriers and migrate upstream and further increase populations of species such as salmon.

The most obvious indictor of whether the fish passes are successful will be the sightings of salmon upstream of the weirs. Routine fish surveys will also be carried out by the Environment Agency to see any patterns in fish populations although there have already been sightings by angling enthusiasts of salmon through the city centre for the first time in over 200 years.

Rare and protected species, including otters, are now found in the River Aire catchment. This is a good indicator of improving water quality, following a history of heavy industry which depleted many species. Otters exist in a small but increasing population, and because of great improvement in water quality have been spotted in the city centre. An otter ramp has been installed at Knostrop to help them move up over the weir and otter holts will be built to help further encourage numbers.

The Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme is led by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency and is split into two phases.

Phase 1 began in January 2015, and costing in the region of £50million, is one of the largest river flood defence schemes in the country. The scheme is putting in place formal flood defences along the River Aire for the first time. It has already seen works completed downstream in Woodlesford, and the city centre element which features the introduction of state-of-the-art moveable weirs at Crown Point and Knostrop is due to be completed this September. When finished, phase one of the scheme will indirectly safeguard 22,000 jobs and improve resilience for 3,000 homes and 500 businesses.

These applications have been submitted by the site operator to bring the site into line with the current regulations for conventional oil and gas sites. This is part of the Environment Agency’s review of all oil and gas permits granted prior to October 2013.

In deciding whether or not to issue the permits, the Environment Agency will take into account all relevant considerations and legal requirements.

You can view and comment on the applications.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

An environmental permit sets out stringent conditions to which a site must adhere. We will not issue or vary an environmental permit for a site if we consider that activities taking place will cause significant pollution to the environment or harm to human health.

We are in the process of determining the applications to re-permit this site and we want to hear from the public and understand peoples’ views. Everybody has the chance to see what the permit may look like and to raise any additional concerns before we make any final decision.

For all media enquiries please contact 0800 141 2743 or email Southeastpressoffice1@environment-agency.gov.uk.

A major £30m flood scheme to protect homes and businesses in Mytholmroyd is a step closer thanks to a decision made on 25 July by the Calderdale Flood Partnership Board.

The board approved the allocation of funding for the scheme following detailed investigation work carried out by the Environment Agency to ensure the highest possible standard of flood protection for the village. The Environment Agency will now apply for planning permission and construction is expected to commence in the autumn.

Following the flooding of December 2015, the Environment Agency has completed six new schemes, reducing flood risk to 500 homes as part of a £9 million recovery programme across Calderdale. In Mytholmroyd, significant work to clear the channel, repair damaged walls and make safe damaged buildings has already been carried out.

The new million scheme for Mytholmroyd has been developed in partnership with Calderdale Council, the local community, and partners. As design work is finalised, the current options for the scheme include:

• New, raised flood and improved walls
• The relocation of Caldene Bridge
• Widening of the river channel at key locations
• Strengthening and waterproofing of buildings next to the river.

Plans are for the scheme to be completed in phases and widening the river at Greenhill Industrial Estate will continue to be explored.

Adrian Gill, flood risk manager for the Environment Agency, said:

This is an important next step in building the right flood scheme for the village.

We have already completed a £9 million recovery programme across Calderdale to restore protection to communities following the flooding of December 2015 and have been working hard to ensure we provide the highest standard of protection. We will continue to listen to the local community and keep them informed as the project progresses.

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

I am very pleased that the board has agreed to allocate the funding required to enable this scheme to go ahead, which is really good news for Mytholmroyd residents and businesses. Of course, this is just one part of an ongoing programme of works to reduce the risk of flooding across Calderdale, and I would encourage people to regularly visit www.eyeoncalderdale.com to keep updated on all of the works.

A flood information centre is open in the village offering the public advice on flood resilience and the opportunity to speak to Environment Agency staff about plans for flood schemes in Calderdale.