Plans to introduce a raft of flood prevention measures along Pudsey/Wortley Beck currently face a current funding shortfall of £13.5million, senior councillors will hear next week.
But a report detailing flood prevention work across Leeds will tell members of the decision-making executive board that work to tackle flooding along the Wortley Beck catchment is a priority for the authority.
Leeds City Council’s flood risk management team is working with the Environment Agency to assess the flood risk in the area, following flooding in both Troydale in Pudsey and on the Ring Road at Wortley in recent years. More than 50 properties are known to have been affected by internal flooding.
The council has put together an ‘economically preferred option’ for flood defences, which includes a flood storage reservoir with an embankment upstream of Troydale and potential modifications to Farnley Balancing Reservoir.
The option would protect against a one-in-75-year flood and would reduce the risk of flooding to 104 residential properties, as well as numerous commercial properties and roads.
Flood alleviation works are expected to cost around £20 million, with the Environment Agency estimated to provide around £6.5 million towards the programme. The council report says the council will secure more accurate costs and seek additional funding from other sources.
It also acknowledges that changes to Farnley Balancing Reservoir are dependent on reaching an agreement with Yorkshire Water.
“To mitigate the risks from Farnley Wood balancing pond, we are exploring options to modify the storage upstream to eliminate the need for works on Yorkshire Water’s asset,” the report adds.
“The further assessments and feedback from public engagements will feed into our business case, which will outline a single preferred option to take forwards.”
Another round of public consultation is due later this year.
The report adds that the Environment Agency has plans for natural flood management works, and that Yorkshire Water also has proposals for works in the Wortley Beck catchment, including plans for a wetland scheme at former sewage works off Hough Side Road in Pudsey which were submitted to the council’s planning department last month.
An initial public consultation on proposed measures along Pudsey/Wortley Beck was held in autumn 2022, the results of which can be read here.
Councillors will also hear about the completion of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, which provides Leeds with a 1-in-200-year standard of protection from the River Aire along the Kirkstall valley and beyond. It will protect over 4,000 residential and 1,000 business properties, along with 33,000 jobs.
The agenda and reports for next Wednesday’s executive board meeting can be read in full here.