Walsden and Sowerby Bridge flood schemes ‘paused’ due to funding issues
Both areas previously have been hit hard by stormy weather and rising river levels.
Two Calderdale flood alleviation projects have been “paused” due to funding restrictions.
Flood programme partners heard that hoped-for schemes at Walsden and Sowerby Bridge have been put on hold.
Calderdale Flood Recovery and Resilience Programme Board members heard in the spring that the Walsden project had received a “minimal” funding allocation for the current financial year.
However, some work has continued to ensure that once it can re-start it is in the best possible position to continue at pace.
These include completing the economic case for alleviation work – the Outline Business Case (OBC) – and completing an appraisal of the options, explaining how the preferred option has been reached.
The outline design for the preferred option has also been completed.
And a summary has been prepared for project management, showing progress to date for each document, any outstanding actions and any other information required to complete the OBC.
In the case of Sowerby Bridge flood alleviation scheme, funding restrictions have also led to it being paused.
Prior to this, modelling work was completed and reviewed internally.
The project team have been drafting a scoping document for the next stage of the project – but no further work will be undertaken until funding becomes available, the board heard.