From Anthony Rae

Saturday, 5 April 2014

Fortunately we have escaped flooding in recent months but if we had not this question would have been as explosive in the Upper Calder Valley as it was recently in the Somerset Levels.

There are now available three expert documents, two produced by the Environment Agency, which can be downloaded here and here.

A drop-in event has been arranged for Wednesday 9th April 2014 3-7pm in Hebden Bridge Town Hall, where people in Hebden, Mytholmroyd and the Upper Calder Valley can come and find out from Environment Agency and Calderdale Council staff what progress has been made in preparing plans and schemes to reduce flood risk and, yes, to discuss 'to dredge or not to dredge?'. I hope Hebweb readers will find this new information useful in increasing their understanding of the issues and options available to our communities.

The documents demonstrate the considerable benefits of routine vegetation and debris management and clearance in reducing flood risk. Calder Future, Calderdale's river partnership (of which I'm the chair), has been asked by the EA and Council to organise a 'river stewardship' programme, using environmental volunteers to do this, starting in Mytholmroyd and then elsewhere, over the next 6 months in 2014 and then more permanently. To volunteer contact info@calderfuture.org.uk or speak to us at the meeting.