QUESTIONNAIRE | wearehag

HEBDEN ACTION GROUP (HAG)

Questionnaire

The Environment Agency’s proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme for Hebden Bridge, 2026-2030/31.

Thank you very much for participating. We are seeking the opinions of residents, business owners, workers and visitors to Hebden Bridge about the Environment Agency’s proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme for the town which is due to be presented to Calderdale Council for planning approval at the end of August 2025. Your responses will help us to understand community and visitor perspectives and to address collective concerns about specific aspects of the scheme to the Environment Agency, Calderdale Council, Hebden Royd Town Council, local MPs and other relevant agencies.

The survey has been commissioned by the Hebden Action Group (HAG) – a non-political community group of volunteers whose aim is to advocate for residents, businesses, tourists and visitors to Hebden Bridge in such a way as to protect our wonderful town from the threats and challenges it faces.

The questionnaire should only take a few minutes to complete.

2. What is your connection with Hebden Bridge?

I live in Hebden Bridge

I live and work in Hebden Bridge

I work in Hebden Bridge but live elsewhere

I am a visitor/tourist to Hebden Bridge

3. If you live in Hebden Bridge, how long have you lived here?

4. If you are a visitor, roughly, how often do you visit Hebden Bridge?

Frequently, more than once a month

Regularly, more than six times a year

Fairly regularly, between three and five times a year

Occasionally, once or twice a year

Rarely, every two years or more

Multi choice

To visit family or friends

Outdoor scenery and activities, hiking, walking, cycling etc.

Unique shopping culture, independent shops, art and craft scene, galleries and markets

Pubs, restaurants and cafes

Music venues, theatre, independent cinema

Specific events such as the Duck Race, Hand Made Parade, Vintage Weekend, Pride, Open Studios etc.

Availability of accommodation, bed and breakfasts, AirBNBs, guest houses, cottages etc.

Hebden’s atmosphere and unspoilt character, strong sense identity and tolerance, historic canal, unique industrial heritage, iconic buildings and views etc.

Base to visit other places like Heptonstall, Hardcastle Craggs, Gibson Mill, Haworth etc.

6. What is your postcode? (This ensures we have a representative spread of responses for all local areas and the home location of our visitors to Hebden Bridge)

7. Have you been affected by flooding in the Calder Valley before?

Yes

8. How important do you consider flood alleviation measures to be?

9. Were you aware of the Environment Agency’s current proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme for Hebden Bridge before you took this survey?

Yes

10. What level of knowledge about the Environment Agency’s proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme for Hebden Bridge do you have?

I know a lot

I know a little

I only know it by name/that a scheme has been proposed

I knew nothing at all about it

11. What is your initial opinion of the proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme?

12. Why do you say that? Please explain your answer.

The Environment Agency (EA) has said that there is currently a 20% chance of flooding occurring in Hebden Bridge in any given year and that the proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme will reduce that risk to 2% whilst providing an increased level of protection from flooding to approximately 400 properties.

The EA has said that the scheme will deliver a 10% biodiversity net gain and improve fish passage in the Upper Calder catchment. The EA has said the scheme will not reduce the risk of surface water flooding, that will remain the same as now. The scheme will cost £81 million to implement and take between 4-5 years to complete.

The EA have said that the proposed scheme will not protect the town from significant events, such as the Boxing Day floods of 2015. The EA scheme takes no account of the potentially increased flood risk to Hebden Bridge posed by the proposed windfarm development on Walshaw Moor or catchment based works made incumbent on Yorkshire Water by the Environment Act (2021).

13. Now, understanding this information what is your current opinion on the proposed development?

14. How long would you expect it to take to complete the work required by a flood alleviation scheme?

16. What do you think are most negative aspects of the proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme. (Multiple choice)

The EA accepts that their proposed scheme will not protect Hebden Bridge from significant flood events such as the Boxing Day flood of 2015

The scheme will not in any way reduce the risk of surface water flooding – that will remain the same as at present

Considering the high cost, the scheme does not offer sufficient benefit or transparency

Delivery of the scheme will cause 4-5 years of continuous disruption in the town

The extent and duration of disruption during the construction phase will reduce Hebden Bridge’s attractiveness to visitors. This will have a seriously adverse impact on local businesses

Some local businesses, eg. The Shoulder of Mutton on Bridgegate have already been told they will have to close for 10-12 months

The closure of St. George’s Bridge for 4-6 months and other planned road closures will seriously reduce access through the town and create serious traffic management issues

Road closures, increased congestion and a planned reduction in car parking spaces will have a seriously adverse effect on residents in affected areas and on the economy of Hebden Bridge

The heights of flood defence walls on Bridge Gate by the packhorse bridge will destroy iconic views within the town centre permanently compromising the towns attractiveness and economic potential

17. Do you think the proposed windfarm development on Walshaw Moor will increase or decrease the risk of flooding in Hebden Bridge?

Increase the risk of flooding in Hebden Bridge

Decrease the risk of flooding in Hebden Bridge

Risk of flooding will remain the same

Don’t know

18. If you are a visitor to Hebden Bridge, would the disruption caused during the 4-5 year construction phase and the permanent changes to the town centre resulting from the Flood Alleviation Scheme, make you:

More likely to visit Hebden Bridge

Less likely to visit Hebden Bridge

It would not affect how often I visit Hebden Bridge

I shall likely visit somewhere else

19. Do you think the Environment Agency’s proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme for Hebden Bridge:

Should be implemented in its current form to reduce the risk of river flooding in Hebden Bridge whilst also delivering a 10% biodiversity net gain

Should be amended prior to implementation in order to provide more comprehensive flood protection, reduce the extent of physical and economic disruption to the town, preserve the historic character of Hebden Bridge and provide better value for money

I have no opinion either way

Thank You for completing our questionnaire!!

The Environment Agency had posted details of its proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme for Hebden Bridge on the ‘Eye on Calderdale’ web-site (https://eyeoncalderdale.com/) or you can call in to the Environment Agency Flood Information Centre, 4 Hardcastle House, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge, HX7 3BB to find out more about the scheme and how it will affect the town.

Alternatively contact the EA via e-mail : HebdenBridgeFAS@environment-agency.gov.uk

The results of our survey will be published on the Hebden Action Group (HAG) Facebook page.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Hebden Action Group (HAG) or helping us in any way please contact us via e-mail : weareallhags@gmail.com