A MAJOR scheme which has used ‘natural’ measures to reduce flood risks along the River Aire through the region has been hailed as a huge success.

The so-called Growing Resilience Natural Flood Management Upper Aire project has offered protection to 865 homes and 53 businesses in West Yorkshire, according to those behind the initiative.

In addition, it has improved biodiversity and boosted wildlife.

The two-year £388,000 programme – led by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – has created 145 hectares of ‘green infrastructure’ along a section of the river between Keighley and Malham.

Funding was provided by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal.

Measures – designed to support conventional flood management activities – have included hedge and tree planting, farmland aeration and the creation of ‘leaky’ dams, ponds and bunds.

The result is that water is stored in the landscape, or in the soil via aeration.

And planting helps to ‘intercept’ rainfall, preventing or slowing its arrival at the river.

Landowners were fully consulted and involved in the work.

Suzie Knight, from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: “This has been a fantastic project and we are very proud of the work that has been delivered, which not only benefits flood alleviation and wildlife habitat but also the local communities.

“Thanks to the hard work of the project team, our partners, landowners, contractors and volunteers, we have achieved above and beyond the original intended outputs of the scheme.

“We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to our funder – the West Yorkshire Combined Authority – for not only funding the project, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal, but also for the ongoing support of its team.”

The programme was welcomed by West Yorkshire’s mayor, Tracy Brabin.

She said: “This natural flood management project on the Upper Aire has reduced flood risks and delivered many environmental benefits for the area.

“It is also a notable example of partnership working – teams from the combined authority have worked effectively with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and local partners."

The scheme was a sister project to one led by the National Trust in the Colne and Calder valleys, which was successfully completed recently. It was also funded by the combined authority via the Leeds City Region Growth Deal.

Total investment across both ventures was £1.7 million.

A spokesperson said: “The interventions will either restore or mimic the natural functions of rivers, floodplains and the wider catchment.

“Part of the natural flood management work is carried out by groups of committed volunteers, to whom we are extremely grateful.

“In the Calder Valley area, thousands of properties were severely affected when the River Calder flooded on Boxing Day, 2015.

“The work in this area was delivered in partnership with the National Trust, with interventions being put in place at Hardcastle Crags as well as in the Colne catchment – which includes the Wessenden Valley and Marsden Moor area. Both are cared for by the National Trust.

“The scheme has also included Gorpley Reservoir, a Yorkshire Water site which is looked after by the Woodland Trust and forms part of the White Rose Forest.

“Over two years, 151 hectares – or 370 acres – of new woodland have been planted. And 85 hectares (210 acres) of peat bogs, heath and moor grass or molinia have been restored.”

A closure report for the Upper Aire scheme has been approved by the combined authority.