Wellholme Park has reopened to the public following major works carried out as part of the Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Residents were invited to an open day today to see the improvements, with a Discovery Trail available for visitors who wanted to learn more about the changes. The Environment Agency and Calderdale Council said the scheme would reduce flood risk, create biodiverse habitat and make the park more welcoming.
The work has redesigned how water moves through the landscape, using new flood storage areas and a redesigned river channel to manage heavy rainfall. Old weirs and walls have been removed so the river can flow more naturally, with the aim of improving river health and reducing flooding downstream.
At full capacity, the park can hold around 8,900 cubic metres of water, which the Environment Agency described as equivalent to 24 of Brighouse’s main swimming pools. Water can then be released slowly back into the river over one to two days.
For most of the year, the site will remain a dry and open park, with shallow channels carrying small amounts of water. Wellholme Park has also been improved alongside neighbouring Whinney Hill Park to provide better access and more resilient surroundings.
Jo Arnold, Calderdale Programme and Partnership Manager at the Environment Agency, said the improvements reduced flood risk in Brighouse while creating habitat and river enhancement. She said the agency wanted people to visit and see the changes.
Calderdale Council Cabinet member Darren Commons said Wellholme Park had been enjoyed by generations of people in Brighouse and now also had a role in protecting the town, nearby properties and businesses from flooding. West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin linked the investment to protecting homes and businesses while improving wildlife and biodiversity.