Flood alleviation scheme should cut risk to 1,500 businesses and homes
Defence works to reduce the likelihood of flooding in Apperley Bridge, as part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 (Leeds FAS2), are starting this month.
The works will run alongside the River Aire, from the area of Bottom Farm on Apperley Road up to Harrogate Road and Woodhouse Grove School.
They will feature new flood walls and embankments, a pumping station and strengthening of Apperley Lane Bridge. Works are scheduled to be complete by spring 2023.
New walls will also be constructed along lengths of Carr Beck where it meets the River Aire, to ensure flood risk is not increased in this area.
Leeds FAS2 is made up of a combination of catchment-wide natural flood management, as well as traditional engineering that stretches for 14km along the River Aire between Leeds Railway Station and Apperley Bridge.
When it is complete, Leeds FAS2 should cut flood risk to a 0.5% probability of occurring in any given year (a 1-in-200-year level of flood protection) for 1,048 homes and 474 businesses.
This level of protection includes an allowance for climate change up to 2069 and will be effective for similar events to the Boxing Day floods in 2015, which cost Leeds an estimated £36.8m and the city region more than £500m.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “The beginning of works in Apperley Bridge is a key milestone for the catchment wide Leeds FAS2 project because we have been working with Bradford Council for several years to make it happen.
“The Boxing Day 2015 flooding was devastating for the region so this alleviation scheme will have a substantial benefit for many people in Leeds and Apperley Bridge, Bradford.
“Residents, businesses, and commuters will all benefit. We are thrilled that the project is continuing to progress at pace to help reduce the impacts of the climate emergency.”
Jason Longhurst, strategic director for the Department of Place at Bradford Council, said: “We are very pleased these prevention works are set to begin after working with Leeds Council and other partners to ensure our flooding strategy is well coordinated.
“The works complement a raft of prevention measures we are putting in place across the Bradford district including upstream natural flood management using natural processes such as leaky dams and moorland restoration to retain and slow water flows.”
