Press release from the Environment Agency
People living and working in and around Mytholmroyd are being invited to take part in an open day (Wednesday 27 March) to find out about progress being made with the construction of the flood defences to reduce the flood risk to the village.
The construction information event will be held at Mytholmroyd Community Centre, between 12 noon and 8pm, for anyone interested to drop in to find out more about the flood alleviation scheme which will help protect 400 homes and businesses.
Helen Batt, catchment director for Calderdale from the Environment Agency, said:
“This is a great opportunity for both residents and businesses alike to come along to find out more about the progress we are making with constructing the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme which will provide them with much better protection against flood risk in the future.
“Our project team is keen to answer any questions and talk about any concerns people may have. Although the new defences will significantly increase the level of protection for the community, people still need to make sure they sign up to our free flood warning service.”
The Environment Agency urges people to check their flood risk online at https://www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk(external link) and sign up for the free flood warning service. You can also find out how to prepare for a flood at the Floods Destroy website(external link).
Calderdale Council’s director of Regeneration and Strategy, Mark Thompson, said:
“With the recent completion of works at Cragg Brook, this is a timely opportunity for local people to find out more about the progress of the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme.
“I’d encourage anyone with questions about the scheme or those who just want to find out more about the plans, to go along, view the designs and meet the project team.”
Chris Blenkarn, VBA project manager, said:
“We are looking forward to hosting this event and discussing the next stages of our construction work with the local community.
“The scheme is on schedule and we are pleased to have completed the first phase of work at Cragg Brook.”
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 /20. 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.
A new steel footbridge for pedestrians has been installed and flood walls built along Cragg Brook which is the first phase of the scheme to be completed. As part of the works new footpaths have been constructed in the area and work to improve drainage, landscaping and lighting has also been carried out.
Other elements of the flood alleviation scheme that are well underway include the construction of the new bridge at Caldene Avenue and steel sheet piling and channel widening works downstream of St Michael’s Church,
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 its current six year programme to 2021.