Calderdale Flood Action Plan - Eye on Calderdale

A Living Flood Recovery and Resilience Plan

The Plan, initially published in October 2016, is a dynamic ‘living document’ that has undergone multiple updates to incorporate completed, revised, and new actions. It is continuously monitored and updated by the Calderdale Flood Recovery and Resilience Programme Board to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

View the refreshed Flood Action Plan

A residential rain garden designed for bioretention and infiltration. The planting area is positioned at a low point to collect and filter surface water runoff. A timber boardwalk provides pedestrian access over the SuDS feature without compacting the soil, preserving its permeability.

Key Areas Covered in the Plan

The Plan outlines a comprehensive programme of work designed to help our area recover from past floods, improve resilience, and reduce the risk of future flooding. It focuses on four key areas:

Strengthening Defences: Implementing projects and schemes to reduce flooding from rivers and surface water.
Resilient Infrastructure: Reinforcing our infrastructure, such as sewer systems, electricity substations, and transport routes.
Natural Flood Management: Managing the landscape to slow down the flow of water.
Community Resilience: Collaborating with the community to help them prepare for and recover from flooding.

Each area is overseen by a dedicated operational group.

Download the Flood Action Plan infographic

It is by no means exhaustive, but highlights some of our key areas of progress.

Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme at Wellholme Park. Image shows large machinery lowing a section of bridge into place. People working on the bridge are wearing orange high visibility clothing and hard hats. The scene shows large boulders and trees surround.

Key Achievements

Work in Copley Village now better protects over 200 properties from flooding. We're also making great progress on schemes at Brighouse and Hebble Brook, which are set to safeguard around 600 more homes and businesses.

Landscape management efforts continue to play a crucial role in slowing the flow of water and reducing flood risk. This year alone, we’ve:

Planted over 96,000 trees
Installed 427 new leaky dams
Planted 6,000 sphagnum moss plugs on moorland to help absorb water

We’ve also introduced sustainable drainage systems (SuDs) at Ash Green, Mixenden, which help manage surface water, boost biodiversity, and reduce pollution.

The new Hebden Bridge Flood Information Centre is now open, offering practical flood resilience advice from the Environment Agency to residents and businesses.

We’re also investing in critical infrastructure. For example, Burnley Road Academy now benefits from new flood resilience measures, including flood gates, helping to keep pupils and staff safe.

Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme leaflet.

How was the Plan Developed?

The Flood Action Plan was put together after consultation with the community and partners. As well as including private businesses and many community and voluntary organisations.

Most of the original actions were gathered through workshops, drop-in sessions and meetings. These actions have continued to develop as the work has progressed.

Ongoing Community Input

As we deliver and complete more of the actions in the Flood Action Plan, we also want to ensure that any new proposals are considered.

Our four operations groups meet on a regular basis to discuss any new actions/ ideas brought to the table. If you would like to make a suggestion or have an idea that would support flood resilience in Calderdale, please drop us an email: [email protected].