Sheepscar Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme Legacy Information

Sheepscar Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme Legacy Information

Why was this project needed?

Sheepscar Beck is a historic water course that runs through the North of Leeds City Centre. 

The beck is heavily engineered with a high number of man-made structures. There are also several brick and stone structures overlooking the beck. Due to the age of many of these structures, and the presence of invasive plant species, there were many points throughout the channel that required repair. 

If the infrastructure in and around Sheepscar Beck were to fail, it would negatively impact over 300 residential and business properties in Sheepscar and Mabgate and require significant financial investment and carbon cost to restore. 

What did we do?

The team identified a range of proactive repair works that were required across nine different areas of Sheepscar and Gipton Beck. These areas were: Benson Street, Sheepscar Beck, Gipton Beck, Roscoe (Bristol Street), Mushroom Street, Skinner Lane, College Building, Hope Foundry and Hope Road and Mabgate.

The works included repairing brickwork, demolishing failed structures, repairing outfalls, clearing debris, replacing walls and fences and removing invasive vegetation species, there are examples of the works undertaken below:

A key part of the restoration was the reuse of reclaimed brickwork to retain the historic character of the beck with new materials only incorporated where necessary. Local traders played a role by providing access, facilitating work on their land and helping to procure materials.

What impact has the scheme had?

While these works do not change the flood zone status of the area, they are essential in preserving current level of flood resilience, preventing costly flood damage and enhancing the city’s ability to adapt to the climate emergency.

The completed works are expected to prevent approximately £15 million in flood-related damage and around 2,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions which would be incurred in the cleanup of a flood event, more than ten times the amount of emissions produced during construction. 

What are the wider benefits of the scheme?

[New public seating and cycle parking at the corner of Bristol Street and Cross Stamford Street]

Alongside maintaining the flood resilience of the area, the scheme also installed three bat boxes, two public waste bins and a new public seating area on the corner of Bristol Street and Cross Stamford Street to enhance the area for residents and wildlife.

What’s next for the scheme?

Later in 2025 upwards of 20 trees will be planted in the area, which will ensure that we have planted more than three times than were removed.

There are also plans for an arts installation to be commissioned in the area. Working with the local community, this interpretive piece will reference flood risk, climate change, climate justice and the importance of the flood resilience work in the area.

Managing flood risk

The works here in Sheepscar have maintained the standard of flood resilience for the area, but there are still steps that we can all take to prepare ahead of flooding.

1. Create a flood plan. You can find templates on the government website for a Personal flood plan, Community or group flood plan and a Business flood plan 
2. Sign up for flood alerts in your area for free on gov.uk  
3. Read guidance on the different types of flood warnings, and what they mean for your home or your travel plans  
4. Do not try to travel through flood water, on foot, in a vehicle or otherwise. Read more advice for driving in storms, rain and strong wind. 
5. Learn more about how you can report flooding, blocked drains and gullies, and more to the Council and other relevant organisations.