The end date for Brighouse’s £31 million flood alleviation scheme is unlikely to be until late March 2028, according to regional government papers.
Next week West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (WYCA) Investment Board meets in Leeds where two items relating to the scheme are expected to be signed off.
Although most of the funding is coming from the Environment Agency, the Calderdale Flood Partnership Board and the Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, WYCA is contributing almost £4.5 million from “gainshare” funding.
The board – which has Calderdale Council representation – are asked to approve extending the scheme’s delivery timeframes.
Earlier this year it was reported that some major elements of the work are set to be completed this summer, including work at both Wellholme Park and Whinney Hill Park.
But, says the report to members, although the scheme’s original end date of March this year, the scheme has met challenges on the way which have caused delays and they are asked to approve extending the delivery timeframe to March 31, 2028.
They are also asked to approve reducing the scope of the scheme to remove an element involving strengthening work at Phoenix Bridge.
But members are told this is because this is being carried out as part of another major scheme of works.
“Following flooding in February 2020, the Environment Agency installed a temporary wall at Phoenix Bridge, after the existing highway walls failed.
“The Brighouse A641 scheme, delivered by Calderdale Council, included the redevelopment of the junction at Phoenix Bridge and following agreement with Calderdale Council, the permanent solution designed by the Environment Agency were later incorporated into the highways scheme and de-scoped from this flood scheme.
“Approval is now sought to exclude this from the approved flood mitigation scheme,” board members are told.
