Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 works underway to protect rail infrastructure in Kirkstall

(Press release Leeds City Council:) Leeds, 21 June 2023 - Construction is underway to protect a section of railway by Kirkstall Bridge that has flooded several times in the past, most notably in the 2015 Boxing Day floods. 

Part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 (FAS2), the flood defence works on the right bank (railway side) of the River Aire upstream of Kirkstall Bridge will comprise of a flood defence solution stretching 1.4km using an earth embankment or steel sheet piled flood walls in some areas. The embankment will tie into flood walls, also under construction, that will extend up to the existing Kirkstall Bridge. 

The section of railway line connects Leeds with Shipley and Bradford and has flooded several times in the past, and currently remains at risk. Leeds City Council have been working in partnership with Network Rail to ensure that the works here will provide a high level of protection and keep disruption on this busy line to an absolute minimum. 

Alongside the embankment and flood walls, 2.4 hectares of landscape and ecological enhancements will be implemented in Kirkstall Meadows. This work includes the creation of wetland scrapes and various interventions to support local wildlife. The existing sports pitches will be retained, and a new access ramp will be installed. The ramp will facilitate maintenance of the flood assets and provide access to the sports pitches for emergency vehicles in the future. 

See the progress on the works in drone footage taken in early June 2023: 

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.’

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.’

Gareth Farrier, Regional Director North at BAM Nuttall, said: ‘Key to providing enhanced flood risk protection to the people of Leeds, their homes and businesses is ensuring vital infrastructure can continue to operate safely. Creating a solution which blends traditional construction techniques with natural flood management and biodiversity enhancements allows us a real opportunity to leave behind richer, more attractive habitat whilst improving flood resilience on the busy Leeds to Bradford line. Working closely with long term partner organisations to devise the best outcome for the people of Leeds, our collective efforts continue to deliver healthy, safe places to live, work and travel along in the Aire Corridor.’

Leeds FAS2 is made up of a combination of catchment-wide natural flood management, as well as traditional engineering that stretches for 14km along the River Aire between Leeds City Station and Apperley Bridge. 

When it is complete in Spring 2024, Leeds FAS2 will reduce flood risk to a 0.5% probability of occurring in any given year (a 1-in-200-year level of flood protection) for 1,048 homes and 474 businesses. This level of protection includes an allowance for climate change up to 2069 and will be effective for similar events to the boxing day floods in 2015, which cost Leeds an estimated £36.8 million and the city region more than £500 million.

Click here for the original press release.