We are developing a strategy to manage flood risk on the Lower Aire catchment.
Why do we need a flood risk management strategy?
Floods in 2000 and 2007 affected a number of local homes and businesses. They also highlighted the challenge we face to ensure that the existing standard of protection for Lower Aire communities is maintained and, where possible, improved.
The area contains many urban locations, villages, industry, commerce, power stations, main transport links and a large area of agricultural land which are all at potential risk of flooding.
A flood risk management strategy will enable us to gain a better understanding into the risk of flooding throughout the Lower Aire catchment and help to optimise flood risk management with potential benefits across the area.
What is a strategy?
This is a long term plan that will look at options and provide a detailed proposal to manage the risk of flooding in the catchment over the next 100 years. It links into other plans including the Aire Catchment Flood Management Plan (Aire CFMP).
What area is included within the strategy?
The study area includes the River Aire catchment between Lemonroyd Weir (downstream of Leeds) and where the rivers Aire and Ouse meet near Airmyn.
Latest news and information
We have produced our draft strategy for the Lower Aire and we invite you to comment on our options.
We have two documents which will be available for public consultation. The summary consultation document, which outlines our preferred option for flood risk management, and the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) which provides an environmental assessment of the options in the strategy.
The documents are available to review from the Monday 9 January 2012 and will be made available for public consultation for 12 weeks, closing on Friday 30 March 2012.
Should you wish to see more detail for the Environmental Report you can download a copy of the full report and accompanying plans and appendices.
If you would like a CD of any of the consultation documents, please contact us. Printed copies of all these documents are also available for free viewing at the following locations during their normal opening hours:
- Phoenix House, Global Avenue, Leeds, LS11 8PG
- Rivers House, 21 Park Square South, Leeds LS1 2QG
- Willerby Office, Albion Mills, Great Gutter Lane, Willerby, HU10 6DN
We will also be holding a series of public consultation “drop in” events in the Lower Aire catchment:
- 1 March 2012 - Carlton Village Hall, Church Lane, Carlton, Goole, DN14 9PB
- 13 March 2012 - Kellington Village Hall, Main Street, Kellington, North Yorkshire
- 14 March 2012 - Lock Lane Sports Centre, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 2JU
All events take place between 3pm and 7pm.
Future Timescales
- Consultation on the draft strategy and environmental report – January to March 2012
- Finalisation of the strategy and environmental report incorporating consultation feedback – summer 2012
- Submission of final draft strategy to approval – autumn 2012
Contacting us
If you have any questions or would like any further information about the strategy or consultation please contact the project team by email on lowerairestrategy@environment-agency.gov.uk or by post: Lower Aire Strategy, Phoenix House, Global Avenue, Leeds, LS11 8PG.
