Milestone for district’s £35m flood alleviation scheme
A new bridge, which is a key feature of the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme, opens to motorists and pedestrians today – 18 May.
It is designed to reduce flood risk in Mytholmroyd. The bridge is a major step forward for the £35m Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme, which will better protect around 400 properties.
The existing Caldene Bridge will start to be demolished shortly and excavation works are underway to widen this section of the river.
The area beneath the new bridge will be nearly twice the size of the old bridge, which will help defend homes and businesses from the risk of flooding in the future.
Paul Swales, senior flood risk advisor for the Environment Agency, said: “Completing the construction of the new bridge is a major milestone for our project team as this has been by far the most complex part of the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme – we have had to carry out diversions of many utility services.
“It is a vital element of the new flood defences as the new bridge structure, channel widening, together with the new raised bridge parapets and flood defence walls will reduce flood risk for the local community.
“However it is still really important that people sign up for our free flood warning service as we can never completely eradicate the risk of flooding, especially with climate change.”
Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for Regeneration and Resources, Councillor Jane Scullion, said: “We’re very pleased to see another major component of the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation scheme nearing completion.
“The scale and complexity of this project cannot be overemphasised, and we would like to thank those who live in, work in and travel through the area for their continued patience during this important work to help protect the village from future flooding.
“There is still more to do but this is a key part of in the overall work to make the valley safer.”
The flood defences have been developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with Calderdale Council.
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.
The cost of rebuilding the bridge has been around £7m from Government funding, with a £1.6m contribution from the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
This funding was provided under Priority Axis 5 of the ERDF, which promotes climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management.
