OVER 200 businesses – employing around 2,000 staff – could benefit from better protection from flooding under a £3 million scheme due to be discussed by councillors next week.

Brighouse’s flood alleviation scheme would also reduce the risk of flooding to over 50 residential properties in the town.

On Monday, Calderdale Council's Cabinet are asked to green light an application to the European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF).

If the bid is successful, the money would then be match funded by some cash from the UK Government and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, of which Calderdale is a member.

Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme is in the early stages of design and cabinet is told work will “significantly improve” the standard of protection from flooding to 57 homes and 258 businesses which employ more than 2,000 staff.

Government has confirmed that any funding from ESIF will be guaranteed if it is secured before the end of 2020, even in event of a “no deal” Brexit.

It is intended that phase one of the Brighouse scheme, which is being delivered by the Environment Agency, should reinstate a consistent standard of protection along the River Calder through Brighouse and make improvements along Clifton Beck, specifically where tonne bags are in place at Phoenix Bridge, and will include replacing walls and providing new walls to fill gaps in existing defences.

Phase two will address the channel capacity of Clifton Beck with the target of ensuring flow does not exceed the channel upstream of the weir in Wellholme Park, which borders the busy A641 Bradford Road.

Together with other schemes, including the ongoing one at Mytholmroyd and a major one set to start in Hebden Bridge next year, more than £100 million worth of work is involved in the borough-wide programme, with £20 million recently secured from central Government to help drive them forward.

Cabinet is likely to approve the funding with Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Resources, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) saying ahead of the meeting which is at Halifax Town Hall on Monday, from 6pm, that it was another opportunity to progress major works.

“The proposals would protect Brighouse from future flooding events, boosting economic development in the town and providing environmental improvements.

“It would also complement other existing and planned schemes across the borough to increase Calderdale’s resilience to flood events.

“We will continue to work with local people and other organisations to do all we can to reduce the risks and impacts of future flooding,” she said.

During the Boxing Day floods of 2015, Brighouse was one of the worst-hit town's in the area, with many businesses forced to close for a lengthy period.

At the time, the Telegraph & Argus reported how Arrow Coach Travel, which was based at Riverside Works, Briggate, was badly hit by the rising river levels, leaving its yard, workshop and booking office flooded.