By Anna Riley
Homeowners and businesses at risk of flooding can get support and help from a new advice centre in Kirkstall.
The area was devastated by flooding on Boxing Day last year but the community has rallied together to provide voluntary support in getting homes and companies back up and running.
Nearly a year on, the clean-up is still under way and some businesses remain shut but The Team Kirkstall Regeneration Hub had its official opening at 352-354 Kirkstall Road today.
Councillor Judith Blake at the opening of Team Kirkstall Regeneration Hub
Leeds City Council leader, Councillor Judith Blake, opened the centre and said: “People can come here to get updates and information and will hopefully not be visiting as a result of other incidents of the same magnitude as last year.
“The drop-in centre will be giving additional support and resilience to all those people that have been affected by the floods.”
The Hub is part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme and secured £3.8 million funding to help reduce the risk of flooding in the city centre by increasing the current standard of protection. The Environment Agency will have a presence there to offer help and advice, too.
Phil Marken, of Open Source Arts Ltd, has been instrumental in leading the flood project.
He said: “As part of the work the Hub is doing, we want to make Kirkstall a better place to live and work and hope that residents and businesses will also come in and speak to us about this, along with getting flood support.”
The Team Kirkstall clean-up programme has so far involved more than 150 volunteers spending around 1,500 hours removing more than 12 tonnes of waste and flood debris from the River Aire.
The complete scheme has cost £50 million and is led by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency.
The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership is providing the majority of the funding to offer greater flood protection by enhancing existing defences and increasing resilience and emergency response systems.
Matt Pedder, who owns Tyrannosaurus Pets on Kirkstall Road, gives his views on the Team Kirkstall Regeneration Hub…