Press release from the Environment Agency
People living and working in Mytholmroyd are invited to meet the construction team who are building the flood defence scheme to protect 400 homes and businesses in the village.
A construction open day is being held at Mytholmroyd Community Centre on Thursday 22 March, 11am-8pm, for members of the community to drop in to find out more about the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme which will cost in the region of £30m.
The flood alleviation scheme has been developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with Calderdale Council and is expected to be completed by Winter 2019. Design and construction of the scheme has been carried out by main contractor VBA, a joint venture comprising VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business.
Staff will be on hand throughout the day to explain what work is being carried out in each planning area of the village and answer questions on many issues including access routes and the size and type of equipment being used during construction.
Visitors will be told about the schedule of works and be asked during the event how they would like to be provided with up-to-date information about the progress of the scheme.
Vital works to be completed as part of the scheme include construction of new, raised and improved flood walls, relocation of Caldene Bridge, widening of the river channel at key locations and flood proofing of the buildings next to the river.
During the next stage of the scheme, which begins in April, drainage improvements will be made along Burnley Road to reduce the risk of surface water flooding.
Helen Batt, Calder catchment director for the Environment Agency said:
“We’re keen for local residents and businesses to take this opportunity to find out about our plans for the Mytholmroyd Flood Scheme which will provide them much better protection against flood risk in the future.
“Our team is committed to involving the community where possible in the delivery of the scheme and keep them informed at every stage of its progress.”
Chris Blenkarn, project manager for VBA, said:
“We are pleased that flood defence works are moving into the next phase on site, which will make a difference to the community and protect local homes and businesses. We look forward to hosting the event and answering any questions about the construction work.”
Cllr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Strategy, said:
“The Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme is part of our ongoing partnership work to help protect local communities and improve resilience following the devastating 2015 floods. With the second phase of the scheme on its way, we encourage local people to come along to the open day and talk to the experts to help them visualise the scheme and understand the impacts.”
If anyone has any questions about the scheme they can email the project team:-mytholmroydFAS@environment-agency.gov.uk. There is also a regular news bulletin produced with information about the scheme which is distributed throughout the village and you can request online by emailing the team.
Drop in surgeries are held at the Mytholmroyd Community Centre each week on Tuesdays from 12pm-3pm and Fridays 9am-12pm. For the latest updates, visit www.eyeoncalderdale.com(external link) or follow #MytholmroydFAS @EnvAgencyYNE(external link) on Twitter.
The Environment Agency is investing £475m in Yorkshire to better protect 66,000 homes across the county as part of our current six year programme to 2021.
Residents are urged to check their flood risk online at https://www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk(external link) and sign up for free flood warnings to give them vital time to save themselves and their possessions from the devastating effects of flooding. Find out how to prepare for a flood on the Floods Destroy website(external link).