West Yorkshire is one of England's most flood-prone regions. West Yorkshire Combined Authority invests in flood defences and alleviation schemes to protect homes and businesses. We work with the Environment Agency and district councils to manage flood risk across the five districts.
Flooding is a significant risk in parts of West Yorkshire, affecting communities, homes and businesses. We have delivered flood risk management infrastructure and natural flood management schemes across the region, improving resilience for homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. We are working with the government and partners to implement 23 priority flood risk management schemes, supported by natural flood management projects that enhance biodiversity and support the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
In partnership with other authorities, we’ve delivered our flood risk management infrastructure and natural flood management schemes. These improve resilience against flooding in West Yorkshire for homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
The Brighouse flood alleviation scheme is strengthening flood defences along the River Calder to reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses and transport routes in Brighouse and nearby areas. West Yorkshire Combined Authority is funding the scheme through the Single Investment Fund, working in partnership with the Environment Agency.
The scheme will protect 55 residential and 359 commercial properties from flooding. Alongside the flood defence works, it includes planting 250 trees, creating two hectares of new woodland and restoring 1.56 hectares of wetland - absorbing approximately two tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and improving over 1.6 hectares of land to a better conservation status.
Work started in October 2017 and is expected to complete in March 2028. The project also includes landscape improvements at Wellhome Park and Whinney Hill Park to reduce flooding risk from Clifton Beck.
Hebden Bridge is one of the most flood-prone towns in West Yorkshire. Located at the meeting point of the River Calder and Hebden Water in the Calder Valley, the town has experienced severe flooding repeatedly in recent years, causing significant damage to homes, businesses and the local economy.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority approved £1.9 million from the Local Growth Fund to initiate a £27.2 million scheme led by the Environment Agency. The project reduced the town's flood risk from a 20% chance of flooding in any given year to 2%. It protected 231 commercial properties and 183 residential properties, moved 180 commercial properties to a lower flood risk band, and directly safeguarded approximately 700 jobs. It also strengthened the resilience of the A646 road towards Mytholmroyd and the M62. Work completed in June 2023.
The Hebden Bridge project is part of our wider £20 million flood alleviation programme. Since the Boxing Day floods of 2015, West Yorkshire Combined Authority has invested £20 million alongside over £170 million of partner match funding into flood alleviation schemes across the region, safeguarding up to 1,385 businesses and at least 11,100 jobs.
