Minister promises town hit by floods '˜best possible protection'

The outline plan to protect Mytholmroyd includes proposals to construct new walls and raise existing ones, widen the channel on the River Calder and improve bridges.

It will also involve strengthening buildings on both banks of the River Calder and Cragg Brook and make improvements to the culvert on While Lee Clough.

Calderdale Council gave the announcement a cautious welcome and urged local people to have their say as the plans go out for consultation.

Mytholmroyd and other parts of the Calder Valley were among the areas worst hit by the flooding which hit Yorkshire on Boxing Day.

Environment Secretary Liz Truss promised a comprehensive flood plan for the Calder Valley in the aftermath of the Boxing Day storms.

Chancellor George Osborne announced in March that £115m would be made available to improved flood defences in the Calder Valley, York and Leeds.

Ms Truss said: “I saw first-hand the devastation caused in Mytholmroyd by the floods.

“It was heartbreaking to see, but also inspiring to witness the community rally round, especially as someone who grew up in Yorkshire.

“I am determined the people of Mytholmroyd have the best possible protection against future flooding and this plan is a key step to making that happen and delivering on our £10m pledge.

“The local geography is challenging and there are no simple answers, but we will not shy away from the task in hand.

“That is why the Environment Agency has developed a plan that will have the biggest impact on saving people’s homes, businesses, and ultimately lives, from future flooding.”

The Environment Agency has suggested glass panels, raised footpaths and landscaping could be used to soften the impact of the higher flood walls.

The maximum height of any walls built as part of the plan will be 1.8m.

Residents in the town will now be consulted on the options before any final decisions are taken.

In conjunction with developing options to reduce the risk of flooding from the Calder and its tributaries, the Environment Agency is also doing work to develop a better understanding of surface water flood risk, and the links with flooding from the highways, sewers and the Rochdale Canal.

Around 370 properties were flooded in Mytholmroyd as unprecedented, torrential downpours battered the upper Calder Valley on Boxing Day.

Councillor Tim Swift, leader of Calderdale Council, added: “We encourage local people and businesses to look at the action plan and get involved through their local flood group and consultation events coming up over the next month.”

A plan for the whole Calder Valley will be completed by October 2016.

The announcement of better defences for Mytholmroyd is the latest in a series of measures set out in response to the devastation caused on Boxing Day.

Figures published last month suggested Calderdale and neighbouring Kirklees had taken a £170m hit to their economies as a result of the flooding.

A recent interim report from the Calderdale Flood Commission, set up to learn the lessons of the events of Boxing Day, warned that many local businesses were struggling to find insurance.