PLANS have been lodged to improve the flow of water along a stream that flows through Aireville Park in Skipton.

Necessary to Skipton’s far reaching £5 million employment and housing growth scheme, work on Gallow Syke, a tributary of Ings Beck, will aim to reduce the risk of flooding downstream in the Ings Lane area of town. If everything goes to plan, work will start next Spring.

The Environment Agency’s £17.8 million flood alleviation scheme has already tackled the flood risks of Eller Beck and Waller Hill Beck, but Gallow Syke and Ings Beck still present a flood risk to the town, specifically along the Ings Lane Industrial Estate.

Now, Craven District Council proposes to redesign culvert entrances so water can be stored temporarily following times of heavy rain; delaying its release and reducing the impact on the industrial areas around Engine Shed Lane and Ings Lane.

Plans also include the construction of a flood wall next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and management of woodland.

The council says the works are essential for the delivery of the £5 million Skipton Employment and Housing Growth scheme, funded by the Government’s Local Growth Fund, awarded by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (YNYER LEP).

The scheme will include the upgrading of Engine Shed Lane and Ings Lane, connecting Ings Lane to the bypass and the improvement of pedestrian routes from Skipton Railway Station, together with the redevelopment of the area around the station.

Eventually, once the scheme is completed, heavy goods vehicles will be diverted away from the town centre to the bypass along Engine Shed Lane via the new Wyvern Park development.

Councillor Simon Myers, the council’s lead member for Enterprising Craven, said: “During periods of intense rainfall, Ings Beck frequently causes flooding within the Ings Lane area and damage to neighbouring properties. This work will greatly reduce the risk of flooding, protecting existing homes and businesses, and will allow much needed employment land to be developed.”

Hed added: “Providing more employment land is crucial for the economic sustainability of Craven, to encourage growing businesses to remain in the district, and to enable new enterprises to move to the area, providing more jobs for future generations.”

The plans will also involve the renovation of an existing pond system off Gargrave Road, near Computershare, formerly Homeloan Management. The ponds will be put back into use, to create a water storage area. After flowing under Gargrave Road and into Aireville Park, an attenuation area will be created in a natural valley in the park to release water more slowly.

David Dickson, chairman of YNYER LEP’s Infrastructure and Joint Assets Board, said: “We are delighted to support this £5 million development and the flood alleviation measures will be the foundation for the success of the larger project.

“The York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership prioritise investments that will have a significant impact on the economic health, accessibility and connectivity for local communities. We have a unique local focus, to sustain a healthy business community and maintain a growing economy across our region.”