Completed village flood defences giving residents 'peace of mind'

The new construction is 110 metres long and stands at 3.5 metres high, enough to protect properties in the Mill Lane and Pit Lane area of Methley from a one-in-100-year flooding disaster.

The scheme has been funded by a contribution from developers and the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) through an aid fund grant.

Residents have already benefited from the structure after it reduced water levels close to Methley during heavy rainfall earlier this year.

With environmental concerns in mind, the embankment was built with a large amount of clay and filled with materials from the site. It is estimated that recycling materials in this way has saved carbon emissions from 300 vehicle journeys.

Landscaping has been specifically designed to enhance the surrounding area, part of which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and will be carried out this month.

Next year will see additional grass seeding and planting across the site including bogbean plants in wetland areas and special pollen mixtures to create new habitats and promote biodiversity.

Methley councillor and leader elect of Leeds City Council, James Lewis said: “We’ve worked closely with Methley residents to make this scheme happen – it’s great news that the embankment is now complete.

“I look forward to seeing the results of the landscaping and glad to see that the embankment is already protecting properties.”

Work started on the flood defence scheme in July of last year, and the Environment Agency says its completion will now give people ‘peace of mind’.

John Woods, flood risk management advisor at Environment Agency said: “We have worked closely to support Leeds City Council and the local community for a number of years to reduce flood risk and will continue to do so.

“We are delighted to see this scheme completed and know that it will provide real peace of mind to those who have been affected by flooding in the past.”

Leeds City Council has also vowed to work on further flood schemes in the village.