The Environment Agency has begun preliminary market engagement for a major flood alleviation project in Hebden Bridge, with the scheme estimated at £81.12 million including VAT.
The planned works are intended to reduce flood risk to the historic West Yorkshire town, which is vulnerable to flooding from rivers, the Rochdale Canal, and surface water due to its position in a steep-sided valley at the confluence of the River Calder, Hebden Water, and Colden Clough.
The Hebden Bridge Flood Alleviation Scheme is designed to provide improved protection to around 400 properties, both residential and commercial. Interventions will include the strengthening and raising of river walls, installation of glass panels, and barriers designed to minimise visual impact while improving flood defenses for riverside properties and infrastructure.
According to the Environment Agency, the project’s complexity reflects the geographical and environmental constraints of the area, including heritage considerations and the rapid onset and depth of flooding in the town. The scheme aims to address all sources of flooding and to increase the overall standard of protection for the community.
The Hebden Bridge Flood Alleviation Scheme is designed to provide improved protection to around 400 properties, both residential and commercial
Engineering consultancy Aecom, which has contributed to the development of the project, has created an integrated hydraulic model to guide the scheme. The model considers multiple sources of flooding as a single system, rather than assessing them independently. Aecom stated this approach provides more reliable data for design purposes and long-term planning of flood mitigation infrastructure.
Hebden Bridge has experienced frequent flooding, with significant damage recorded during past events such as the Boxing Day floods in 2015, which affected over 550 properties.
The contract is expected to run from 8 September 2026 to 30 August 2030, with a possible extension to 28 February 2031. The Environment Agency is currently engaging the market to shape procurement strategies, design tender documents, and gather feedback on potential contractual terms. Interested parties have until 29 August 2025 to participate in the engagement process. The formal tender notice is anticipated to be published on 22 September 2025.
The procurement falls under the category of river regulation and flood control works and will be delivered within the United Kingdom.
