A groundbreaking project featuring pioneering technology to protect Leeds and surrounding areas from the risk of extreme flooding is now complete.
The Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme is the culmination of more than a decade of work, and an investment of £200m, as well as the use of state-of-the-art engineering and infrastructure.
Delivered by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment, the scheme was supported by a joint venture between Mott MacDonald and BAM Nuttall. The dedicated flood defences are intended to help protect more than 4,000 homes and over a thousand businesses along the River Aire catchment in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and neighbouring communities.
The Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme was carried out in two phases. The first phase was completed in 2017. This latest phase includes new raised flood defence walls, embankments, flow control structures and the removal of obstructions at various points through Armley, Kirkstall, Newlay and Apperley Bridge as well as protecting the historic Kirkstall Abbey site.
The scheme is said to offer a one-in-200-year level of protection plus climate change allowance against extreme flooding along the River Aire; as experienced following Storm Eva at Christmas 2015, which caused an estimated £36.8m in direct costs of damage in Leeds and more than £500m in recovery costs to the wider region.
Completion of construction of the scheme was officially marked last month with a celebration event at a new flood storage area by the riverside near Calverley in Leeds, hosted by the leader of Leeds City Council, councillor James Lewis, who was joined by representatives of project partners the Environment Agency, Mott MacDonald and BAM Nuttall, along with other key stakeholders.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This is a very important and proud day for our city as the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme can now help protect thousands of homes, communities, businesses and jobs across Leeds and beyond from the increasing threat posed by flooding and climate change. We all remember the devastation and misery caused by Storm Eva and recent extreme weather events, and the confidence this scheme offers will be immeasurable in our city for decades to come.
“This has been a mammoth project, one of the biggest ever undertaken in Leeds in terms of its importance, scale and ambition, and everyone involved in it can rightly be proud of the part they have played, especially all those who campaigned and worked so hard to ensure it would be completed in full as quickly as possible. As a city we say thank you to everyone who has helped make this scheme a reality, for the benefit of all those who live and work in Leeds and beyond.”
Richard Risdon, Mott MacDonald UK & Europe managing director, said: “Completion of this innovative flood alleviation scheme for Leeds not only provides climate resilient 1 in 200-year flood protection for the city through to 2069, it also unlocks huge regeneration potential for the region.
“Working in joint venture with Bam Nuttall, we are proud to be part of this major engineering project that has been led by Leeds City Council and the Environment Agency to use innovative engineering solutions in combination with natural flood management. The combination of solutions delivered is the result of the partnership approach taken by everyone involved to maximise the benefits to the city while minimising the carbon and visual impact.”
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