Flood alleviation scheme recognised at Flood & Coast Excellence Awards

These prestigious awards are a long-standing way to recognise the important work done in the previous year that has contributed to managing flood and coastal risk, building local flood resilience and taking action on climate change. The awards were held virtually this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The AEEFAS is one of three schemes designed to control pluvial flood flows heading east towards Haltemprice and Hull from the Yorkshire Wolds. The scheme covers around 47 hectares and effectively captures, diverts and stores flood waters away from urban areas, reducing pluvial flood risk to 4,000 properties.

It comprises spillways, watercourses, bridges, reservoirs and tunnels through a source water aquifer – all set sensitively within the landscape. The scheme is passively operated, working entirely under gravity and requiring no power or human input during rainfall events. The operation and maintenance of the scheme has been designed to be simple, low-carbon and cost-effective. The predicted effects of climate change have been built into the project with the scheme being designed to cope with a one in 75-year return rainfall event inclusive of climate change over the next 100 years.

Also nominated as finalists were Calderdale Council with their Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme and eventual winner Littlestock Brook, Evenlode Natural Flood Management Scheme.

AEEFAS – delivered by the council in partnership with Hull City Council and the Environment Agency – was also awarded Highly Commended status in the national RICS Awards Grand Final in 2020.

Adam Holmes, head of infrastructure and facilities at the council, said: “To be nominated and recognised as one of the top performing flood alleviation schemes in terms of climate resilience is a huge credit to our staff and the people who put a lot of time and effort into making these innovative schemes a success.

“Putting measures in place to try to control flooding in the East Riding has been a desire for the council for many years so it is a positive to see our schemes taking national recognition alongside some other fantastic schemes across the country.”