Residents are invited to a big milestone in Brighouse’s flood protection scheme when one of the town’s major parks re-opens after extensive works next week.

Wellholme Park reopens to the public on Wednesday, July 29, with residents invited to visit between 10am and 2pm and explore the improvements delivered as part of the Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme.

Urging residents to explore the improvements for themselves, access is via Thornhills Beck Lane and a ‘Discovery Trail’ will be available throughout the day for those who want to learn more about the changes.

The works form a central part of efforts by the Environment Agency and Calderdale Council to reduce flood risk for homes and businesses in Brighouse and enhance the local environment.

placeholder image — Wellholme Park, Brighouse, Aerial

Together, they have redesigned how water moves through the landscape, working with nature rather than against it, say the partners.

New flood storage areas and a redesigned river channel help manage water more effectively during heavy rainfall.

Old weirs and walls have been removed to allow the river to flow more naturally, improving river health while reducing the risk of flooding downstream.

At its full capacity, the park can hold around 8,900 cubic metres of water – the equivalent of 24 of Brighouse’s main swimming pool – before releasing it slowly back into the river over one to two days.

For most of the year, Wellholme Park is simply a park, say the partners.

Shallow channels may carry small amounts of water, but the space is dry, open, and designed for everyday enjoyment.

It has been enhanced alongside neighbouring Whinney Hill Park to offer improved access and more diverse and resilient surroundings year-round, they say.

Jo Arnold, Calderdale Programme and Partnership Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “We’re pleased to welcome the community back to Wellholme Park.

“The improvements not only reduce flood risk in Brighouse, create a biodiverse habitat and river enhancement, but also ensure that the park remains an enjoyable and accessible space for everyone.

“We encourage people to come and have a look around and see the changes for themselves.”

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, Coun Darren Commons, said the re-opening was good news and timely for the summer holidays.

“Our parks are important community spaces, and I’m delighted that Wellholme Park is now reopening, allowing local people and visitors to enjoy the green space, especially during the busy school summer holidays.

“The facilities and beautiful surroundings of Wellholme Park have been enjoyed by the people of Brighouse for generations, but the park now also plays an important role in protecting the town and nearby properties and businesses from flooding.

“The work shows how flood defence infrastructure can work with community spaces, with improvements supporting wildlife habitats and also creating landscaping works such as walkways and paths, to enable the park to be used all year round,” he said.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said here in West Yorkshire residents know only too well the devastation flooding causes and it was important to invest to meet these challenges.

“With record-breaking heatwaves in the summer and one-in-a-hundred-year floods in the winter, now is the time to invest in Brighouse and beyond to protect homes and businesses, boost wildlife and biodiversity, and create a greener, nature-rich region that works for all,” she said.

The Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme is being delivered in partnership with Calderdale Council, designers ARUP and contractors BAM.