New flood warning system for Batley Beck area

The Environment Agency has recently updated its local flood warning system, and now has more accurate data available to help at-risk commmunities be prepared.

Properties near to Batley Beck in Dewsbury and Batley Carr can now sign up for the warnings, and the service for people living in the River Colne, River Holme and Fenay Beck catchments has improved.

“Rivers in these communities can rise very quickly after heavy rain, so providing warnings can be difficult - but our new and improved warning systems aim to alert the community in a timely manner, giving them more time to prepare, and to be aware of flooding so that they do not put themselves at risk,” said Jon Follows from the Environment Agency’s flood resilience team.

Bradford Road, which follows the valley of the beck, has historically experienced flooding problems, including a Great Flood in 1925 when the highway resembled a river. A multi-million-pound scheme to clear and unblock the water course and widen the culverts has reduced overflowing, but flash floods still occur. such as in the summer of 2012.

To find out if you are eligible to receive flood warnings and register with Floodlin, call 0345 9881188, or visit www.gov.uk/flood.