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This leaflet gives an update on the flood alleviation scheme for Lower Todmorden and Walsden in advance of design works taking place.

The Environment Agency

The Environment Agency provides flood defences to improve protection against flooding from rivers and high tides. Schemes are planned and constructed to minimise ecological impact and enhance local habitats wherever possible.

Background

Todmorden and Walsden have a long history of flooding from the River Calder and Walsden Water, most recently in June 2000 when almost 1,000 properties were affected, causing damage of £20 million. A flood defence scheme was constructed in the early 1990s on the River Calder, upstream of where it meets Walsden Water. However, there remains a significant flood risk in other parts of the area.

Areas considered most at risk include approximately 850 homes, 30 commercial properties, five industrial properties and a number of public sites. Flooding can also result in the closure of the A646 trunk road and the Manchester to Normanton railway line, isolating the local community.

The Upper Calder Improvements Strategy

Following the June 2000 flood, the Agency commissioned a study into I flood defences in the Upper Calder Valley. This reaffirmed the need to provide improved defences for Lower Todmorden and Walsden. Technical studies have been carried out to show the impact of different flood defence schemes.

Scheme Objectives

The new flood defence scheme will aim to improve the level of protection. At present the defences would protect the area against a flood which has a 20% chance of happening in any one year.

The new scheme would improve this level of protection to a flood which has a 4% chance of happening in any one year.

Outline of proposed defence options The Agency is consulting with several major landowners and employers as well as residents of the area about the possible options:

Flood storage areas (washlands) with localised flood defences

The provision of washlands will allow water to be held back during times when flow in the river is high. The flow allowed through the towns would be controlled.

There are a limited number of available sites for flood storage in Todmorden and Walsden. The flood storage sites have been selected due to their ability to effectively reduce flows and their availability for use. These sites are planned at: Warland, Scott Street playing field, Midgelden Brook, Ramsden Clough, Centre Vale Park and Millwood. Initial consultations with landowners and other interested parties are now underway.

The sites need to be developed to maximise the storage area. Earth embankments will be built above natural ground level to contain the floodwater. Flows in and out of the areas would be regulated by control structures such as pipes, weirs and sluices.

Storage areas for floodwater reduce water levels downstream. This would reduce the extent of wall raising and channel works needed within the towns. The Agency has inspected the walls acting as defences and will replace or repair those walls which are likely to be overtopped or considered to be at high risk of collapse.

Localised flood defences only

An option to provide defence measures to Todmorden and Walsden by use of flood walls alone was considered but was discounted as the walls would have to be over 3m (10 feet) tall in places.

Channel improvements

It is proposed to increase the capacity of the river channel upstream and downstream of rail bridge No 96 towards Unity Street. This will be done by steepening the channel to improve flow capacity.

Additional maintenance works

The river naturally deposits rubble in the channel. The Agency plans to provide a series of gravel traps, allowing material to be collected and removed at key sites.

In the event of a flood it is important that floodwater does not get trapped out of the river channel, prolonging the period of flooding. Provision of escape sluices will allow water to return to the river as levels subside. Flap valves on outfall pipes will ensure that floodwaters do not bypass new defences.

Environmental and recreational issues

Opportunities to enhance the environment around the flood defence works will be taken.

Works will be designed to complement the environmental improvement works planned for the Todmorden Market Towns Initiative by the Countryside Agency and Yorkshire Forward. Storage areas will be designed to minimise impact of existing ecology and in some cases to create new habitat. In particular, ground improvements carried out as part of the works at Centre Vale Park should enhance future use for sports and special events.

Any work in the channels would be timed to avoid fish spawning seasons and work on walls would be timed to avoid disturbing bats. Initial surveys have been done to determine habitats of protected species such as water voles.

What next?

The planning approval process for the proposed scheme has now commenced with a full planning submission to be made by the end of November 2002. Following the public display held in Todmorden Town Hall on 20th November 2002, there will be a period of time for public consultation during which comments on the scheme proposals can be made. To facilitate this process a stakeholder group has been set up by the Agency to address specific concerns and the public is welcome to contact any of the following representatives:


Note from DH – a full list of local representatives was given on the information
Contact the address below for details if still needed:

RIDINGS AREA
Environment Agency
Phoenix House
Global Avenue
Leeds LS11 8PG
Tel: (0113) 2134600
Fax: (0113) 2134609

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