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Search the Public Notice Portal A Calderdale town’s £81 million flood alleviation scheme is not now likely to start until 2028, the Environment Agency has confirmed.
Earlier this year Calderdale planning councillors approved the Environment Agency’s application for the complex and controversial scheme at Hebden Bridge.
The town has been severely hit by flooding several times since the Millennium, including in 2000, 2006, 2012, 2015 and 2020, along with other Calder Valley towns.
It had been expected following the planning approval that work would start next year.
But podcaster Calderdale Inside Out has reported on social media that the project has been delayed.
An artist's impression of how St Pol car park will look at the end of the Hebden Bridge flood alleviation scheme. Image: Mott MacDonald/Environment Agency
The Environment Agency has now confirmed this is the case and that it is anticipated that construction will start in early 2028, subject to completion of remaining approvals and procurement activities.
The references to differing dates in earlier publications reflect the programme assumptions that were current at the time those updates were issued, they say
The Environment Agency says the Full Business Case (FBC) for the scheme has been developed in line with the governance requirements for major flood risk management projects.
Approval for the FBC is anticipated in mid-2027, said the organisation.
Currently, the project is not fully funded for the future construction phase, they said.
Work at present is funded through a combination of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Grant in Aid, local levy funding and contributions from partners, said the Environment Agency.
The procurement strategy for the scheme has been developed in accordance with public procurement requirements and appropriate project assurance processes – the 2026-27 allocation supports delivery of activities scheduled within the current financial year, including the development of the FBC, said the agency.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “The Environment Agency is committed to deliver the Hebden Bridge Flood Alleviation Scheme and strengthen the town’s defences against flooding from all sources.
“The challenges are significant, with the town’s limited space, historic environment, ecological considerations, and the severe nature of flood events requiring carefully designed and often complex interventions.
“We’re combining new engineering schemes with natural flood management to help make communities more resilient.”
The spokesperson said that with a changing climate, flooding could never be completely prevented and the agency urged people to be prepared and get flood warnings by visiting www.gov.uk/flood or calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188
The scheme will be Calderdale’s biggest and has been controversial, including over likely use of parts of the town’s Calder Holmes Park as a works compound and potential impact on businesses and parking – Hebden Bridge is a tourist town – while work is carried out.