Erringden Hillside Flood Alleviation Scheme

The Erringden Hillside Flood Alleviation Scheme improves protection for approximately 60 properties from surface water flooding.

The project was completed in 2025 following the installation of property flood resilience for eligible properties, the building of highways drainage systems and the implementation of natural flood management measures.

The area

Erringden Hillside is located along the southern edge of Hebden Bridge in the Calder Valley. The upper slopes are primarily used for agriculture, with wooded areas on the mid slopes providing a buffer between the more developed lower slopes. The impacts of industrialisation associated with the milling industry are evident with the Rochdale Canal and the Calderdale railway flanking the River Calder within a narrow corridor along the valley bottom.

The catchment is characterised by steep slopes, with interconnected bridleways, footpaths and roads that traverse the hillside. The project area has been considered as three discrete elements, which are summarised as follows:

Calderdale valley.
Past flood incidents

The three project areas have suffered from significant flooding in recent years. Here are the most notable events:

  • June 2012: Heavy rain overwhelmed the local drainage system. This caused surface water flooding in many properties.

  • December 2015: Flooding was widespread across Hebden Bridge. While surface water still affected our study areas, the intensity was lower than in 2012.

  • February 2020 (Storm Ciara): Over 100mm of rain fell in just 12 hours. Calderdale received more than a month’s worth of rain (129.8mm) in only two days. This was the second-highest flood ever recorded in the Calder Valley, impacting many homes and communities again.

A map showing the Erringden Hillside Flood Alleviation Scheme. The map highlights various areas of work, including the installation of property flood resilience measures, improvement of highways drainage and surface water capture. The map also indicates natural flood management opportunities on the hillside. Key landmarks such as the Rochdale Canal, Calderdale railway, and surrounding agricultural and wooded areas are marked to provide context. expand
Project components

The project comprises of a three-pronged integrated approach consisting of:

  • Property Flood Resilience (PFR): Installing flood measures at eligible homes in Fairfield and Stubbings Brink.
  • Drainage Improvements: Better surface water capture at New Road, Hebble End, Shelf Road, and Palace House Road.
  • Nature-Based Solutions: Developing Natural Flood Management (NFM) opportunities.

Delivered by the Environment Agency in partnership with Calderdale Council, Arup, Watertight International, FPS Environmental and Partners. The three main work areas are:

  1. Above Stubbing Brink.
  2. Hebble End.
  3. Fairfield.

Map key:

Drainage implemented as part of Flood Alleviation Scheme
Highways Drainage Interventions

Highways drainage interventions were added to New Road, Shelf Road, Palace House Road and Hebble End to catch surface water on its way down from the hillside.

Timeline: This work was completed in Summer 2025.

  • Better Drainage: We installed 4 new drainage systems to catch rainwater before it floods.
  • Permanent Fixes: We replaced temporary rubber flood blocks on Hebble End and Palace House Road with better, permanent versions.
  • More Drains: We added extra gullies (road drains) to catch water at low points.
See a map of the four completed interventions here
Property Flood Resilience (PFR)

Work on home flood protection progressed throughout 2025.

Timeline: Watertight finished installations and wet-testing of property flood resilience measures in January 2026 for properties at risk of surface water flooding.

Protective measures installed include:

  • Barriers: Flood doors, gates, and barriers.

  • Drainage: Non-return valves and sump pumps.

  • Sealing: Airbrick covers, specialist sealant, and repointing.

Watch a video of wet-testing being done at a property on Erringden Hillside here
Natural Flood Management (NFM)

We are working with local landowners to manage flood water naturally using the Calderdale Landowner Grant Scheme.

Timeline: This second round of NFM is on track to be completed by the end of 2026, and will be maintained by the landowners.

To slow down water coming off the hillside, landowners have added:

  • New hedge planting
  • Tree planting
  • Attenuation ponds (pools that catch and hold rainwater)
  • Leaky dams

Latest Updates

 

Man fitting a flood door
Project Documents
Flood Mary
Working with the Community

The Environment Agency meets often with partners, local councillors, and community groups to share project news. A main local group is now set up and members can be viewed below.

The project team has joined local groups like the Hebden Bridge Business Forum and the Disability Access Forum. These meetings help the team get feedback on the flood plans. The team works closely with local people and flood wardens to understand flood risks and improve the final designs.

As the flood plans develop, teams will hold more meetings with local people to discuss the work.

To get project news by email, send the word 'subscribe' to [email protected].

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