Construction begins on the Otley Flood Alleviation Scheme

Construction on a scheme to better protect Otley residents from flooding started this week.  

The scheme, which is part of the city’s response against the climate emergency, will reduce flood risk to 53 properties in the area around Wharfemeadows Park.

Led by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, WSP and BAM Nuttall Mott McDonald (BMMjv), the scheme comprises of an embankment running parallel to Billams Hill and vegetation management on the islands downstream on Otley weir.

Together, the measures will reduce the likelihood of flooding from the River Wharfe to a 4 percent chance of occurring in any given year.  

Currently the area has a 20 percent chance of flooding.

In total, the scheme has secured just over £4 million to better protect previously affected residents in the area.

This includes £2 million from central government, £1.5 million from Leeds City Council and £650,000 from Local Levy funding.

As well as reducing flood risk, these new measures will also improve biodiversity which will be achieved by bringing the Kell Beck watercourse into the open and additional planting.

There are also hopes to create more community engagement opportunities, such as volunteer clean ups on the river.

The scheme is expected to be complete in November 2021.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for environment and active lifestyles said:

“This is a significant milestone for the scheme and one which will be hugely welcomed by residents and businesses in Otley.

“This area has experienced awful flooding in the past, most notably on Boxing Day 2015 when over 50 homes flooded. Since then, there have been several near misses so these new measures will make an important difference, particularly as climate change continues to bring unpredictable and volatile weather conditions.

“I’m looking forward to seeing this scheme come to life later in the year.” 

John Woods, project manager at Environment Agency said:

“The Environment Agency is working hard to create climate resilient places by mitigating the impacts of flooding across Yorkshire. We’re delighted to be working with Leeds City Council to begin construction of this new flood alleviation scheme in Otley.

“We’ve worked with the community and listened to a full range of views to get the right flood defence scheme for the town, which will reduce flood risk while enhancing the local environment. With construction now starting on site, we’ll continue to work with residents, businesses and the wider community, to ensure the scheme is delivered at pace and with respect to people and wildlife.”

Construction activities are split into three phases. Phase one, which will take place between March and June, will involve construction of a new culvert and outfall into the river, groundworks to build the embankment, installation of sheet piles and construction of an access ramp.

The next phase, between June and September, comprises of diverting watercourses, construction of retaining walls and remaining embankment activities.

The final stage, which will involve landscaping, is planned in late autumn.

The scheme, and the delivery of other major flooding schemes across Leeds, is part of the Council’s plan to build the city’s resilience to climate change and reduce flood risk to previously affected homes and businesses. In 2020, two flooding schemes at Killingbeck and Mickletown were completed and the next phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme is currently in construction. The council is also undertaking a number of other flooding studies. 

To find the best solutions to flooding, the Council is working with Environment Agency, community groups and landowners to identify wider measures and natural processes across catchments to help better manage the flow of rivers. This is referred to as a ‘catchment-wide approach’.

Residents and businesses can sign up for regular updates about the Otley FAS by visiting www.leeds.gov.uk/otleyfas.

Notes to editors

The climate emergency means we cannot prevent all flooding – so we’re working to make communities resilient to future flooding. We urge people to go to www.gov.uk/flood,  check if they’re at risk, and make sure they know what to do if it floods.

The Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy provides a longer term vision of how we will better protect and prepare homes and businesses from flooding and coastal change and create climate resilient places. You can read the strategy here.

Social distancing and Covid-19 safety measures will be place on-site in line with the latest government guidance.