Kell Beck

Since our last update, our contractors, BAM Nuttall have completed the work required to connect Kell Beck to its new permanent channel. During recent wet weather, we have been able to see Kell Beck in action, carrying water away from the site into the River Wharfe. The photograph shows a section of the Kell Beck with some coir rolls in place. The coir rolls are made up of organic living materials to provide erosion control and rapid vegetation establishment. They have been strategically placed onto the bend of the channel to prevent erosion.

Public Right of Way

The completion of the work to Kell Beck has allowed the site team to open the public right of way through the site to its new permanent alignment, a map of the new location can be found on the site notice board located on Billams Hill.

We have also completed the reinstatement of the stone wall at Billams Hill, which had to be taken down for the construction of the concrete protection slab over the existing underground culverts mentioned in our July edition.

We have also created tree kickers by felling and securing four of the taller trees on the island to create a habitat for wildlife. We understand that there may be some concerns that these tree kickers will increase the flood risk in this area, however we can assure residents that these have been accounted for within the flood modelling of the scheme. The tree kickers have been installed in a way that during normal river levels they will reintroduce the environment that is beneficial for wildlife, but at a low level so that they do not increase the flood risk during a flooding event.

Agreement of works in the area was a difficult balance between flood risk and environmental issues. Discussions concluded that it was the low-lying vegetation that provided the most environmental benefit in this area and the taller trees that were the greatest contributor to flood risk. When the river rises, and the flood risk is greatest, it is the vegetation and branches at mid-height that catch the debris in the river and increase the flood risk. The upper branches remain out of the river so cause no issues, and the very low-lying vegetation would be submerged, so would not catch the debris at water surface level.

The works that have been carried out are being assessed as part of our quality assurance process, to ensure they have the effect that was intended. If any additional work is identified as being required to ensure the flood risk benefit, this will be carried out before the scheme is complete.

In addition to this, further works to the island will be undertaken over a 10-year period to achieve a better mix of vegetation that will be more manageable in the future. We will continue to monitor the island area over this period and beyond to ensure the necessary reduction in vegetation is achieved and maintained. Beyond this 10-year establishment period a long-term maintenance plan will be developed to ensure the overall reduction in vegetation is maintained in the future.