Flowing through farmland and public greenspace, Tyersal Beck is finding its natural rhythm again thanks to a partnership between a local farmer and Leeds City Council. Backed by funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, steered by the Environment Agency and brought to life by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the restoration is part of the Wortley Natural Flood Management project – a united effort to restore the river, enrich local wildlife and help protect communities from flooding.
Once straightened and constrained, parts of the beck are now being ‘re-wriggled’, allowing it to follow a more natural, meandering course. Along its banks, a newly planted riparian buffer strip of native trees provides shade for aquatic wildlife, stabilises the riverbank and creates habitat, while fencing helps control livestock access to the river to reduce erosion of the bank.
The work extends beyond the water’s edge. Volunteers monitor riverfly populations and water quality, offering valuable insights into the beck’s health, while neighbouring woodland now hosts a series of leaky dams – slowing runoff and reducing the risk of downstream flooding.
Through blending traditional land management with innovative natural flood management solutions, the Tyersal Beck project shows how farmers, public bodies, conservation organisations and volunteers can come together to restore both the health of our rivers and
resilience of our communities.
