Press release from the Environment Agency
People living and working in Mytholmroyd are invited to take part an open day this Autumn to find out about how the construction of the flood defence scheme is progressing.
A construction information event is being held at Mytholmroyd Community Centre on Thursday 20 September, 12 noon- 8pm, for members of the community to drop in to find out more about the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme which will help protect 400 homes and businesses in the village.
The flood alleviation scheme, which will cost in the region of £30m, 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 is being carried out by main contractor VBA, a joint venture comprising VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business.
Members of the project team will be on hand throughout the day to talk to visitors about the progress of the flood alleviation scheme, explain what work will be carried out in the future, provide information about the schedule of works and answer any questions about their work.
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.
Some elements of the flood alleviation scheme that are well underway include placing of new wall units on Burnley Road, downstream of New Road Bridge; steel sheet piling and channel widening works downstream of St Michaels’ Church, constriction of new floodwalls along Cragg Brook and replacement of the footbridge, upstream of the railway viaduct. The team has also cleared 60 tonnes of silt and gravel out of White Lea Clough culvert under Midgely Road; installed around 35m of new surface water drainage in Burnley Road and started the construction of the new bridge at Caldene Avenue.
Helen Batt, Calder catchment director for the Environment Agency said:
“We are keen to speak to local residents and businesses who want to know more about the flood defence scheme scope and planned programme.
“I would also urge anyone interested in keeping up to date with news about the scheme to sign up for our e bulletin or drop into the surgeries held at the community centre.”
Chris Blenkarn, project manager for VBA, said:
“We are delighted to be hosting another opening event for the public. It’s great to see so many new faces and have the opportunity to update the public on the scheme.”
Cllr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Strategy, said:
“Following confirmation of over £1.6m of funding secured by the Council from the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) towards the reconstruction of Caldene Bridge, piling work is now in full swing to enable construction of the northern pier for the new bridge.
“With completion of the work at Cragg Brook also on the horizon, construction activity is progressing at pace making this a timely opportunity for those living and working in Mytholmroyd to find out more about the works going on around them.”
If anyone has any questions about the scheme they can email the project team:-mytholmroydFAS@environment-agency.gov.uk. A regular news bulletin is 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 Fridays 9am-12pm or residents can visit the project team at the Red Acre Site in the village. For latest updates visit www.eyeoncalderdale.com(external link) or follow #MytholmroydFAS @EnvAgencyYNE 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 at the Floods Destroy(external link) website.