Hebden Bridge Web

Duck Island saved as Hebden Water dredged

Friday, 11 March 2016

Thanks to Bob Deacon for this info

Today Jos Wattam, who is managing the dredging by the Environment Agency of Hebden Water gave a reassurance that the Duck Island would be preserved and maybe even a few nice pebbles would be left on it for Juan, the pebble sculpture artist to use when visitors arrive back in the town.

The project aims, according to the press release, by Andrew Coen to restore the river bed to the levels before the December floods by removing tons of gravel.

This should reconcile flood alleviation with a sensitivity to the amenity value of the river to visitors and residents. However Bob Deacon, chair of the Hebden Bridge Partnership expressed concern about the failure of the Environment Agency to inform either the Town Council or the Partnership about the detailed plans for the work, let alone consult about them. This after a concern had been expressed to the Agency about the need to consult.

This gravel removal project may not be controversial but plans being designed now for bigger canalisation and flood barrier work through the town might be. The Environment Agency needs to learn how to engage and consult in advance of work being undertaken. It was noteable also that no Old Gate road closure notices were evident.