Work has commenced on the right bank of of the River Aire upstream of Kirkstall Bridge. The project consists of the installation of a flood defence solution stretching 1.4km, using an earth embankment or steel sheet piled flood walls.
The embankment will tie into flood walls, also under construction, that will extend up to the existing Kirkstall Bridge. The section of rail being protected provides services to and from Shipley and Bradford.
The area has a history of flooding and remains at risk. Flooding occurred on Boxing Day 2015 and caused large amounts of damage and disruption to the rail network.
The new scheme also includes 2.4 hectares of landscape and ecological enhancements in the Kirkstall meadows area. In addition to a new access ramp for the existing sports pitches. The scheme is a product of a partnership between Leeds City Council and Network Rail.
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Commenting on the construction, Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said: "Leeds FAS2 has been designed to protect the people of Leeds from damaging flooding. That includes our homes, our businesses, and our infrastructure.
"As the effects of climate change become more pronounced in the coming decades, it is important that we work with our partners to ensure that we build climate resilience across the region now. The works here showcase the great work that we have achieved in collaboration with Network Rail, delivering intricate solutions to build for the future without causing disruption."
Reflecting on their involvement, Mark Groom, Asset Protection Scheme Interface Manager at Network Rail, said: "I'm really pleased that work will begin on the second phase of this scheme this month. These works are vital to protect this section of railway line between Leeds and Shipley as it is particularly prone to flooding, ensuring it stays safe and reliable for years to come.
"We'll continue to work with our partners at Leeds City Council to deliver this important project whilst making sure disruption to passengers is kept to a minimum."
When complete the scheme is expected to reduce the risk of flooding in the area to 0.5%. It is scheduled to complete in Spring 2024.
