Tadcaster Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) Information Page

Overview

Welcome to the Tadcaster Flood Alleviation Scheme Information Page.

We have created this page to provide easy access to information on what is happening in Tadcaster, including background information to the recent flooding and a summary of our work to reduce the flood risk to homes, businesses and infrastructure along the river.

We will be updating this site as the scheme progresses so please keep checking back for what’s new. We have added a February 2021 progress update with information regarding the river modelling work.

Up-to-date information about progress and upcoming events is also available on our Facebook (@TadcasterFAS) and Twitter (@EnvAgencyYNE) pages.

We are issuing regular newsletters which highlight our recent progress and any upcoming engagement events. To request this newsletter in an accessible format, or to be added to the mailing list for this newsletter, email us at tadcasterfas@environment-agency.gov.uk

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As an organisation we are doing everything we can to support communities, the government and the NHS, abiding by measures set out by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our priority in these difficult times is the health, safety and wellbeing of residents and our staff.

Boxing Day 2015

Widespread and substantial rain fell over West and North Yorkshire throughout November and December 2015. Many rivers, including the Wharfe, recorded their highest ever flows by a significant margin during December 2015. On the 25^th – 26^th December heavy rainfall associated with Storm Eva saw the River Wharfe flowing at Tadcaster reach its highest ever recorded level on the town’s gauge (4.51m) and overtop the town’s existing flood defences. In total 79 properties (36 homes and 43 businesses) in the town were flooded. The flooding and subsequent collapse of Tadcaster Bridge resulted in the closure of the A659 at the bridge, separating the two sides of the town either side of the River Wharfe.

Tadcaster Bridge collapse, December 2015 – image courtesy of David Lindsay Photography

As part of the multi-agency response to the incident, to which the community made a significant contribution, a temporary footbridge was installed by North Yorkshire County Council’s Highways team to provide a pedestrian route during repairs to the bridge structure. The bridge itself remained closed until fully repaired, and reopened some 13 months later.

Funding a new Flood Alleviation Scheme

In 2005 the Environment Agency looked to provide an improved standard of flood protection for Tadcaster.

The proposed scheme progressed to the planning permission stage with Selby District Council. However, this was withdrawn and the scheme was put on hold due to significant opposition from local residents, businesses and landowners against the raising of the town’s defences.

However as a result of the Boxing Day 2015 flooding, subsequent Section 19 report recommendations and local political pressure, a review of these plans was conducted in 2017. The aim was to help identify a potential new flood alleviation scheme that could benefit, and also be accepted by, the town community. Based on this review, the total cost of a scheme is expected to be in the region of £10 million.

The York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) have provided £1.02 million of Local Growth Funding, and the Tadcaster project was awarded £9 million in September 2019 from the £62 million government fund to better protect communities from flooding. As a result of this funding, we are now in a position to progress with the scheme.

The Environment Agency has continued to work with the town’s residents, businesses and other stakeholders to develop a new flood alleviation scheme. Stakeholders involved include: York and North Yorkshire LEP, North Yorkshire County Council, Selby District Council, Tadcaster Town Council, the office of Nigel Adams MP, the Tadcaster Flood Action Group, and members of the local community including residents and businesses.

High river levels at the repaired Tadcaster road bridge, March 2020 – image courtesy of David Lindsay Photography

Involving the local community

Tadcaster has a valued yet complex relationship with the River Wharfe so it is important that residents, businesses and land owners have the opportunity to tell us their views on what flood defences and modifications are the most appropriate for this area.

By working in partnership with Tadcaster Town Council, Selby District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and Tadcaster Flood Action Group, we are able to engage with the local community and interest groups throughout the town, providing up-to-date information and giving everyone an opportunity to join the conversation.

It began in November 2019 when we hosted a drop-in event at The Barn to help launch the project to the community. We welcomed the news of the additional government funding, introduced ourselves, and began engaging with the community.

Progress to date:

We have:

• continued liaison with the community and stakeholders by issuing Tadcaster FAS newsletters and updates via local networks including Tadcaster Today, TFAG, the Town Council’s website and social media;

• launched our Tadcaster FAS Facebook page: @TadcasterFloodScheme;

• placed suggestion boxes around the town to give the community opportunity to input into the options for the scheme; and

• formally signed contracts with our delivery partners, ARUP & Partners Ltd, who we have worked with on other large schemes in the region such as the Leeds FAS and Skipton FAS.  They will be working in partnership with Jacobs Ltd to deliver the options appraisal for Tadcaster FAS. 

In addition, the following work is progressing:

• Our consultants have continued to undertake modelling to ensure we have a full understanding of the impacts of flooding on the town. This includes environmental and ecological surveys of the river, the surrounding area and its habitats which were completed in summer 2020.

• We have continued work to produce a feasible short list of options ready to be presented to the community.

• We continue to hold meetings with landowners and other stakeholders.

• We have established the Tadcaster Community Client Group to provide town representation on the project. We are working together so that the town has its voice heard, feels listened to and responded to. The group will also help disseminate and collate information through their networks. Please use your local contacts (listed below) to help feedback your comments.

Tadcaster FAS Progress Update - February 2021

The Environment Agency and our consultants have been assessing potential options to provide flood protection in Tadcaster. The aim of the assessment (“options appraisal”) is to identify a preferred option which can be progressed to a detailed design, then constructed. This appraisal stage assesses many factors but partly relies upon the results of a computer based river model to calculate flood levels which help determine what would be the required defence heights and storage volumes to protect the town. 

A recent topographical survey (a survey of the physical features in an area) undertaken in Tadcaster was added to the river model to improve the representation of the river and proposed defences through the town. The updated model has produced unexpected results which need to be addressed to ensure that the best and most cost effective scheme can be designed and constructed to protect Tadcaster.  

We are working with our consultants to understand the results and what can be done to address these issues. This will inevitably cause a delay which will be a disappointment to many. To ensure we are using public money in the right way, we need to have a strong evidence base, and our consultants are focussed on providing this to meet the requirements.  When we have a clearer understanding of what work is required on the model we will be able to update you on the likely length of delay. We can reassure you however that the funding for the work is secure and not at risk.  

Although this is not what any of us want at this stage we believe it will ensure we achieve the best final design to better protect Tadcaster and complement its historic and environmental surroundings.

What’s next?

We are working hard to identify solutions that are environmentally and socially acceptable as well as being technically feasible and affordable.  Each community that we work in has its own characteristics and complexities; there are often many factors to consider that influence or constrain the choice of solution/s. Tadcaster is no different. We need to ensure that the solution is right for the town’s flood dynamics as well as being suitable for the local environment, whilst at the same time not increasing the risk of flooding in neighbouring communities. 

Engagement 

We always seek to engage with the local community during the development of a scheme to ensure that we listen to and learn from their views.  Where possible, we also include features in the design of our schemes that enhance the natural environment or provide other benefits, such as better access or improved facilities. We have begun this process, but engagement is now increasing as we begin to promote our shortlist of options to you for comment as we move towards a final design.

Public Consultation

We asked for your views on the shortlisted options for the Tadcaster FAS in our public consultation which ran from Wednesday 30^th September – Sunday 25^th October.  This consultation is now closed and we are currently reviewing the comments you have made.

Your feedback will be used to help us to identify the final design for the Tadcaster FAS.

What’s Next?

We will publish a summary of the results of the consultation on this page, our Facebook page; and the Tadcaster Today newsletter.

Further events will be planned to ask the community to provide additional comments on the finished look of the scheme (including defence height, defence type, finish etc).  These will also be advertised using this information page; our Facebook page; twitter; (links below) and the Tadcaster Today newsletter etc.

Throughout this project there will be numerous opportunities for you to feed into the development of the flood alleviation scheme, either through formal engagement events such as this or via one of the communication channels below. We will continue to increase the level of communication with you and update you with progress.

Once safe to do so we will look to provide town centre information points including noticeboards and monitors in shop windows, and our main aim is to eventually have an information hub set up for you to call in to.

We would encourage all interested parties in Tadcaster and neighbouring communities to sign up to updates / e-newsletters by registering your interest at tadcasterfas@environment-agency.gov.uk . We would also encourage you to support any family members, friends or neighbours who cannot access online information, by sharing our updates with them.

Over the coming weeks you may begin to see an increase in the presence of project staff around the town and the river, working to strict social distancing rules. Please respect these rules as we go forward. We will endeavour to keep you all updated as to what is happening and when. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime you can contact us:

By email: tadcasterfas@environment-agency.gov.uk

By telephone: 03708 506506 and ask to speak to a member of the Tadcaster Flood Alleviation Scheme project team (Yorkshire Area FCRM Partnership and Strategic Overview)

By post: Tadcaster Flood Alleviation Scheme, C/o Tadcaster Town Council, The Ark, 33 Kirkgate, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, LS24 9AQ 

We are aware that not everyone has access to or confidence in digital communication methods.  We are making every effort to use other, more traditional methods where we can, whilst staying in line with Government Covid-19 restrictions. If you know of anyone who may prefer to have a printed newsletter, or written update, please ask them to contact us directly as above.

We look forwarding to engaging with you during the next phases of this project.

Be prepared 

Remember that homes and businesses which receive increased protection are still at risk of flooding. (To view a larger version of this leaflet - Flood Warnings Leaflet)