I was born, brought up and still live in Hebden. I remember all too clearly the devastating floods in 2015 that decimated our town, destroyed people’s homes, and forced the closure of local businesses. But I also remember how we stepped up and came together as a community. Alongside other local volunteers I went door to door carrying out welfare checks, and I will never forget finding a resident who had been unable to keep food down for days after falling ill from contaminated water. Lots of us helped clean out Salem Community Centre with a lovely team from the Woodcraft Folk.  

In the days after those floods it didn’t matter how long you had lived here, whether your house had been affected or if you lived up the hill, and your expertise didn’t matter either. We all worked together, and I’ve never felt more keenly that I was part of my community. Back then we were absolutely determined to work together to rebuild our community out of floods, and we need to return to that spirit as we decide how to protect and preserve it for the future.

Before you elected me as your Member of Parliament, I was a councillor for Calder Ward which includes Hebden Bridge for 8 years. Those 8 years were framed by flooding. I first met with the Environment Agency in 2016, and then later as a member and chair of the Flooding Scrutiny Board. I have seen the current plans consulted on, changed, discussed, changed again and eventually, after a lot of campaigning from myself and the council, largely funded. This has not been easy against the backdrop of Liz Truss’s economic chaos, construction inflation and austerity. I know there has been a lot of frustration in some quarters that this hasn’t been done quicker.

It is important when discussing this scheme and the response to it that we remember why people on all sides hold such strong views. Some are scared for their homes and the lives they and their families have rebuilt. Fearful that another flood could come with a further threat to life. Anxious about the future of businesses they have poured their lives into. I know many of the independent shops that make Hebden so special already operate on small margins, and they are understandably worried about the disruption of these works.

I understand the concerns on all sides, but I also know that the 2015 flood was a 1 in 250-year event and the 2020 flood was a 1 in 100-year event. Climate change means we know more flooding is likely, and that’s why we need to do everything possible to keep our community safe. The concerns that have been raised are not new to me or the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency tell me that they have held 10 public consultation and information events and brought together 30 “key stakeholder group meetings” including businesses, councillors, town councillors and others who are actively involved in their community. There have also been three specific business events. They’ve delivered two newsletters directly to people’s doors, along with 35 targeted letter drops and 44 news bulletins. They have put a lot of information out through the Eye on Calderdale website, and they have an information centre on Valley Road.

Now that the initial plans for the flood alleviation scheme have been submitted to the council’s Planning team it has naturally focused people’s minds. This was always going to be a crunch point. Most people support the bulk of what is being proposed, and you can read and see the Environment Agency images on their planning application. I know there are a few areas where concerns remain, particularly around traffic, the park, the crane and the area around the Wavy Steps. I’ll try and address each of these in turn.

STOPPED TRAFFIC

So far, the delivery of the Mytholmroyd scheme has been incredibly effective. In recent incidents where flooding was expected it held firm and kept people safe. However, during the works we saw the absolute nightmare of stopped traffic on Burnley Road, and I understand people are concerned about a repeat of this in Hebden. This is something I’ve raised directly with the Environment Agency. They have told me that they learned a lot from the Mytholmroyd scheme and will use the learning to keep people informed and reflect some of the placemaking that eventually made it such a benefit to the community.

CALDER HOMES PARK

Under the current planning application Calder Holmes Park would be a hub for the Environment Agency’s work. This is a concern that I raised early in the project, alongside other councillors at the time. I am aware they are in negotiations to use another site and will continue to explore that option, as they also want to avoid using the park if possible. However, they had to name a site they would work on for the purposes of the planning application, to avoid yet further delays in proceeding with the scheme. The site is named with a view to submitting an alteration if a better option can be secured. They have also said the use of the park would be limited and would still allow many of our important community events like Happy Valley Pride and the Vintage Car Show to take place. I was surprised to read two of the planning objections on the council website make the claim the park is the “only green space” in Hebden Bridge. We’re a bit short of accessible flat areas in this valley which are certainly important, but there are other green spaces around.

CONSTRUCTION CRANE

Given the large quantity of materials that will need to be moved around Hebden with our narrow and twisting roads, the Environment Agency has proposed a more innovative solution of using 1-2 construction cranes which should cut down the number of lorries going through the centre of town. Whilst it may be unsightly, I think it presents the best solution in the circumstances. It will be temporary and that’s worth remembering.

THE WAVY STEPS

Under the plans we will see permanent walls built alongside some retractable walls which will raise when there is a risk of flooding in the area around the Wavy Steps in Hebden Bridge centre. The steps are undoubtedly iconic, and some people have raised with me their concerns they will be damaged by the new flood defences. I understand that some of the images of the retractable wall when fully raised look alarming in terms of changing the appearance of the area. However, they will only be raised when needed and arguably it’s less alarming than local businesses being flooded again. Whilst they feel like one of the defining features of our town, it’s easy to forget they were only built in 2007 alongside the pedestrianisation of Bridgegate. People around at the time will remember that scheme was not without controversy. As someone who’s lived through a lot of changes to the town, I would say that each one can feel worrying until it happens and then it often feels normal very quickly. I’m yet to see anyone argue to bring cars back to Bridgegate or to reinstate straight steps.  

Hebden Bridge is a town with a lot to offer and great community spirit. During this work I encourage people to keep that spirit alive, whether that is joining the Calder Holmes Park litter pickers, shopping at local businesses to replace the possible reduction in tourist footfall or sharing the amazing and positive sides of our town even more on social media. We need to encourage people to keep coming, not scare them off with horror stories about disruption.

As the plans progress, I’ll continue engaging with the Environment Agency to make sure we get the most sympathetic scheme possible. I would also encourage everyone to engage in the planning consultation process which has now been extended until 18th November. You can comment via Calderdale’s planning portal, with reference 25/00947/FUL here: http://bit.ly/4nWrplg