A SHORTLIST of options for how to best protect Otley from flooding has been drawn up.

The Government announced £2 million of funding for a Flood Alleviation Scheme after the town was flooded three times at the end of 2015.

Since then Leeds City Council, the Environment Agency and consultants WSP have been carrying out preliminary work which has included creating a digital model of the River Wharfe.

They have now come up with four options they believe represent the best way forward - and residents and business owners can find out more about them, and comment, at a drop-in event this week.

The measures being considered involve:

*using flood defence walls

*creating flood defence embankments

*maintenance including vegetation clearance

*riverbank realignment.

Leeds City Council leader Councillor Judith Blake is encouraging people to attend Otley Core between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday, June 21 to learn more.

She said: "We are very pleased to now share with people the progress we and the Environment Agency have made on the plans for flood prevention measures for Otley, with these shortlisted options we are now considering and developing further.

"These measures are all deliverable and would make a real difference in providing reassurance to local residents and businesses against the threat posed by flooding, so we would encourage as many people as possible to come and see what we have in mind and tell us what they think."

Flood Risk Management Advisor at the Environment Agency, John Woods, added: "After much work we are now approaching a really crucial stage in the project to select a final option for Otley.

"We’d encourage anyone with an interest in the scheme to look at the potential options and come along to discuss their thoughts with the team.

"Residents' views are really important in helping us to reach a preferred option for the town."

After the drop-in event a preferred option will be chosen and developed into the scheme's outline design phase - and then the community will get another chance to comment.

The flood alleviation team is aiming to submit a planning application this winter and, subject to approval, hoping to start work by the autumn of 2019.

Anyone who can't attend this Thursday's event can view the shortlisted options online at https://www.leeds.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/otley-flood-alleviation-scheme . Comments comments can also be sent by email to FRM@leeds.gov.uk.