GOVERNMENT support for flood defences around Bradford could protect tens of thousands of jobs, and “unlock” new land for development - according to the leader of Bradford Council.

Susan Hinchcliffe, also Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, has called on the Government to commit £141m to support new flood defence works to protect thousands of homes and businesses.

Cllr Hinchcliffe has written to ministers ahead of Wednesday’s Spending Review asking for financial backing for the Flood Alleviation to Unlock Economic Growth Programme.

It follows on the first phase of the Flood Alleviation to Unlock Economic Growth Programme which supported schemes providing enhanced flood protection for communities in the City Region following the devastation caused by the Boxing Day Floods in 2015.

£3.3 million flood defence scheme for Otley

The programme, which would begin in 2021, would safeguard 3,300 businesses, 5,300 homes and more than 32,000 jobs. It would also unlock development land which could provide 7,500 new homes and create 525 new jobs adding an estimated £100 million to the City Region economy over the next 10 years.

It would also deliver environmental benefits including saving carbon emissions equating to taking 236 cars off the road every year.

The programme involves a number of major projects including flood alleviation schemes in Keighley, Tadcaster and Hebden Bridge.

If successful, £135 million would be invested in 29 flood resilience schemes worth a total capital value of £282 million in the City Region.

The rest of the funding would be invested in a £6 million natural flood management programme.

The submission sent to the Treasury and DEFRA, states “Leeds City Region is at a unique stage in its development with a series of key infrastructure investments coming forward in the future, for example HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Housing Infrastructure Fund.

“It is critical that this investment is resilient and safeguarded. The City Region has a strong track record of delivering innovative and complex flood resilience management schemes on budget.”