Stockbridge - Flood Defence & Drainage Improvement Works

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION NOT TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

Regulation 5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Land Drainage Improvement Works (Amended) Regulations 1999 SI 1999/1783

Keighley & Stockbridge Flood Alleviation Scheme

The Environment Agency gives notice that it proposes to carry out improvement works to the flood defences on the River Worth in the Stockbridge area of Keighley, in the vicinity of Aireworth Road Bridge and at various outfall locations along the River Worth corridor.

The proposed improvement works will involve the following:

– Removal of accumulated gravel from beneath Aireworth Road Bridge on the River Worth.

– Investigation of drainage outfalls and associated assets along the River Worth corridor.

– Repair, replacement or improvement of flap valves and outfalls where investigations identify defects, operational issues or opportunities to reduce flood risk.

The purpose of these works is to improve understanding of existing asset condition and performance, reduce residual flood risk pathways, and support the development of the Keighley and Stockbridge Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The Environment Agency considers that the improvement works are not likely to have significant effects on the environment and does not intend to prepare an environmental statement in respect of them. This conclusion has been reached having regard to the selection criteria set out in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage Improvement Works) Regulations 1999. The proposed works are limited in scale and extent, are confined to existing flood risk management infrastructure and watercourse environments, and any environmental effects are expected to be localised, temporary and not significant in nature.

Measures to avoid or reduce environmental effects will be implemented through project-specific environmental controls and mitigation identified during the screening and consultation process. These measures will be secured through the project’s Environmental Action Plan and Environmental Protection Consultation Record and managed through the contractor’s environmental management procedures during works.

Additional information concerning the proposed improvement works and their environmental effects is available within the Environmental Screening Determination Note prepared by the Environment Agency’s National Environmental Assessment Service (NEAS) and the Environmental Protection Consultation Record prepared in consultation with the Fisheries, Biodiversity and Geomorphology (FBG) team. Copies of these documents may be obtained on request from the Project Manager.

Any person wishing to make representations in relation to the likely environmental effects of the proposed improvement works should do so, in writing, to the address specified below, within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice.

Scheme Project Manager, George Poole: George.Poole@environment-agency.gov.uk

07483 677835