£4.5 million flood alleviation funding to push Calder Valley projects forward

Flood alleviation schemes in the upper Calder Valley will benefit from £4.5 million of funding to push two projects forward.
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Calderdale Council’s Cabinet agreed to enter into arrangements with the Government for a £4 million contribution to the Hebden Bridge Flood Alleviation Scheme and £500,000 towards the Erringden Hillside Flood Alleviation Scheme.

These will allow the council to secure the funding from the European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF).

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The Government has recently given £12 million to support the Hebden Bridge scheme but this additional funding is necessary to deliver all the projects in the programme, councillors were told.

Money will be spent on defence schemes in Hebden BridgeMoney will be spent on defence schemes in Hebden Bridge
Money will be spent on defence schemes in Hebden Bridge

Coun Scott Patient (Lab, Luddenden Foot), Cabinet member for Climate Change and Resilience, proposed that Cabinet accept the European funding, which would provide more than £4 million for the Erringden Hillside and Hebden Bridge flood alleviation schemes.

“Both schemes will provide massive protection for 400 properties,” he said.

The Erringden scheme was really interesting and would be developed utilising Natural Flood Management techniques which had been highly successful when put in place at Hardcastle Crags, said Coun Patient.

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These include items like “leaky dams” which slow the flow of water down the steep sided valley and are one of a range of measures being taken to help protect Calderdale catchments from top to bottom.

Initial work is already under way on the Hebden Bridge scheme with work due to start next year.

Cabinet agreed to accept the money.