Two flood alleviation schemes backed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Investment Committee, at their meeting Wednesday, 3 January, will help reduce the risk of flooding for hundreds of homes and businesses across Leeds City Region, and protect land for new development.
The Natural Flood Management Program and Wyke Beck Valley Project will be developed with partners to safeguard key areas of land by the River Aire, River Calder and River Colne as well as housing and brownfield sites across east Leeds.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority committed to invest a total of £20m into flood alleviation projects across the City Region following the Boxing Day floods of 2015.
This is in addition to its £5m Business Flood Recovery Fund, which launched just weeks after floods hit to support SMEs affected by flooding to get back on their feet, West Yorkshire Combined Authority said.
Leeds City Region Natural Flood Management Program will introduce a range of practical measures to mimic natural flood protection. They will look to slow the flow of water in the Upper Aire Catchment, Wessenden Valley, in Kirklees, Gorpley Reservoir and Hardcastle Crags, in Calderdale.