Home / Environment / £81m Flood Scheme Approved for Hebden Bridge
£81m Flood Scheme Approved for Hebden Bridge
18 Feb
Summary
- An £81m flood defence scheme for Hebden Bridge has been approved by local councillors.
- The plans aim to build new flood walls and barriers, and repair existing ones.
- Concerns exist about potential disruption to local businesses during the four to five-year construction.
An £81 million flood defence scheme for Hebden Bridge has been approved by Calderdale Council's planning committee. This crucial development, originally planned following the severe Boxing Day floods in 2015, aims to enhance the town's resilience. The project involves constructing new flood walls and vertical rising barriers, as well as rebuilding and repairing existing defenses. Some local businesses have voiced concerns, highlighting the potential for significant disruption over the four to five-year construction timeline. They worry that this disruption could be more damaging to trade than future flood events.
Despite objections from some traders concerned about prolonged disruption, the scheme received widespread support from residents. Flood wardens emphasize the long-term benefits of enhanced protection, noting that repeated flooding has already caused economic damage and significant psychological stress. They argue that without adequate defenses, the town centre could become untenable, impacting its viability. The Environment Agency has indicated that securing funding remains a necessary step for the project to proceed.
