Otley Flood Alleviation Scheme
Project Update
Following the September Otley Flood Alleviation Scheme project update and property level protection measures survey, we have received a number of queries covering some common themes.
To provide some clarity we would like to share our responses with residents living in the immediate vicinity of the scheme. We have prepared a list of the questions we have received, along with our responses, please see below.
QUESTION - Why has the project been delayed?
ANSWER - Before construction of the main flood embankment can begin, we need to divert Kell Beck into the River Wharfe in a newly constructed open channel upstream of Otley Bridge. This is required as the new defence will effectively block off the existing route of Kell Beck.
Where this new channel meets the River Wharfe works are required in the river to construct an outlet structure. Works here are constrained by a number of issues because some species that inhabit the area are protected by law. The key issue in this case is migrating salmon, which prevents works taking place after the beginning of October. This (and various other environmental constraints) mean the next opportunity to undertake the works is April 2021.
Since the scheme obtained planning approval we have been working to finalise the design, discharge the pre-commencement planning conditions and obtain the Environmental Permit that is required before works can take place in a watercourse. We were originally confident that these would be approved in sufficient time to allow us to complete the Kell Beck diversion by the end of September 2020.
Unfortunately the impact of Covid-19 has caused some unforeseen delay and we did not have the required approvals in place to begin works in time to meet the deadline. On that basis we had no option but to delay this work until the April 2021 working window.
QUESTION - Why has a film crew arrived on part of the site shortly after our last update?
ANSWER - We were made aware by the landowner that he was looking for a location to park some vehicles for this purpose. Through discussion we concluded that there was sufficient space for the crew to be on other areas of the site and not encroaching on our compound area, and also that we could maintain the access for them. The works and film crew could have occupied the whole site concurrently without causing any issues.
This therefore had no bearing whatsoever on our decision to delay the start of the works on site.
QUESTION - Why have we been asked for details of our Property Level Protection measures?
ANSWER - The Otley Flood Alleviation Scheme will increase the standard of flood protection to a 4% Annual Exceedance Probability. This means that with the scheme in place, there will be a 4% chance in any given year of flooding occurring (currently 20%).
We are aware that Property Level Protection measures were made available to those affected by the floods in 2015. As part of the project we want to understand the benefit of these measures in combination with our proposed works. In addition we will identify any potential improvements that could be made to existing Property Level Protection measures.
Property Level Protection measures are not being considered as an alternative to the approved scheme.
QUESTION - Can temporary flood barriers or sandbags be made available to hold water on the former cattle auction market site and provide some protection now?
ANSWER - At the outset of this scheme from early 2016, we worked with the Environment Agency to consider if there were options for temporary defences to be utilised whilst the project was being developed. At the time it was not deemed feasible, primarily due to the rapid rise in levels on the River Wharfe, which does not leave sufficient time to install temporary measures if flooding is anticipated.
In addition to this we now know that these types of measures are unlikely to be effective. Due to the permeability of the ground the proposed defence requires sheet piles to be driven up to 14m into the ground below to form a barrier against underground flows of water. Temporary flood barriers or sandbags will not cut off these flow paths, neither will they prevent water entering Billiams Hill via Kell Beck and the existing drainage network.
QUESTION – Will there be further opportunities to discuss issues with the project team?
ANSWER - We are sure there will be further questions and acknowledge that since lockdown we haven’t been able to make ourselves as accessible as we have done previously through face to face events at Otley Town Council.
In response to this we are proposing to hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday 18 November at 4pm to discuss these issues and answer any further queries you may have. To assist us all in getting the most out of this opportunity please forward any further questions to FRM@leeds.gov.uk in advance of the meeting.
The exact platform to be used and format of the meeting is yet to be finalised (although it is most likely to be Microsoft Teams) but we will add the meeting details to the Otley FAS webpage 1 week before the meeting and also send an email reminder of the event.
In advance of this please do feel free to contact us directly to discuss any concerns that you may have by emailing us at FRM@leeds.gov.uk.
Progress Update
We also wanted to share some more positive news. The pre-commencement planning conditions and Environmental Permit have very recently been approved. This has allowed us to swiftly mobilise our contractor to begin the vegetation management on the islands downstream of Otley weir.
These works are scheduled to start on the week commencing the 19 October and take approximately 1 week. The work involves reducing the total amount of trees and vegetation on the islands and have been designed to improve flow through this stretch of river. The impact of this being that river levels in the area will be reduced during times of heavy rain, thereby reducing flood risk.
The works will require some machinery and vehicles to occupy road space on Farnley Lane (09:00 – 15:00, Monday to Friday) and will require temporary traffic signals to be in place to manage the single westbound lane closure. The timings of the closure are restricted to reduce the build-up of traffic at peak times, but we apologise for any disruption this may still cause.
The work on the islands has been planned so that minimal water crossings are made and material is removed by lifting it from the islands to the banks. The Environment Agency have given special dispensation for these works to go ahead, but works must be complete by the end of October 2020.
Works can only be carried out if the river levels are not too high, to ensure access and the safety of those working on the islands. Due to these constraints, there is a small chance the works may not be able to go ahead if we see a rapid turn in the weather.
We can only apologise for the distress caused by the delay in the start of the main works on site but would like to assure you that we are fully committed to the delivery of this project and will continue to work hard to ensure the flood scheme is in place as soon as possible.
The Otley FAS project team
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