Otley FAS update - 29 April

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Keeping You Informed - 29 April 2021

Otley Flood Alleviation Scheme 

Piling works update 

Piling work to build the new flood defence embankment has made good progress this week.

This work has involved drilling steel sheet piles into the ground using a 50 tonne piling rig and 40 tonne crane.

Following a successful first week, our contractors will not be working on Saturday 1 May and the remainder of the Bank Holiday weekend. 

Work will resume on Tuesday 4 May. 

Did you know? 

Sheet piles will prevent flood water passing under the embankment and will be covered with low maintenance grass seed to blend in with the environment.

Sheet piling works in progress

This image shows the sheet piling rig drilling the piles deep into the ground. Once complete, the embankment will be approximately 1.5 metres high and the sheet piles will not be visible. 


Information board installed at Billams Hill

Our new notice board has now been installed at Billams Hill. 

This will display the latest updates as we progress the scheme. 

Billams Hill notice board

How does the scheme work? 

The scheme involves a new flood defence embankment, which will run parallel with Billams Hill, and vegetation management downstream on Otley weir. The embankment will be approximately 1.5 metres high. 

The embankment will reduce flood risk by blocking the existing primary flood route from the River Wharfe during rising river levels.

By managing the vegetation on the islands downstream of Otley Weir, the flow of the river will increase and encourage the water downstream in a better managed way.

Together, these measures will reduce the likelihood of flooding from the River Wharfe from a 20 per cent chance of flooding to a four per cent chance of occurring in any given year, without increasing flood risk elsewhere. 

If you have any questions about the scheme, please contact us on our details below. 

Photomontage of the Otley FAS embankment

An image showing what the embankment will look like once complete.

You're up to date 

Thank you for taking the time to stay up to date with the Otley FAS. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us using the contact details below (Monday - Friday excluding bank holidays, 9am - 5pm). 

Tel: 0113 378 7304

Email: FRM@leeds.gov.uk

Web: www.leeds.gov.uk/otleyfas