Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 (FAS 2)
Leeds, from Leeds Station to Apperley Bridge in Bradford, UK · Completed in 2024 · Part of a £200 million project for both phases.
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchFAS 2 complements FAS 1 by providing comprehensive flood protection across a wider area. - The scheme incorporates natural flood management techniques, such as tree planting and land management in the upper River Aire catchment, to slow the flow of water. - The flood storage area is operated through raising two large flood gates, allowing controlled release of water. - The project aims to save more carbon cost than used to build the entire infrastructure if it operates to its full potential just once.
Key engineering challenges
Extending flood protection upstream from the city centre to Apperley Bridge. - Combining traditional engineering methods with nature-based solutions in the Upper Aire Catchment. - Constructing a large flood storage area with an embankment of 200m in length and a height of 6.2m. - Integrating new pumping stations and flow control structures into the river system.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Leeds City Council, Environment Agency, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA)
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build | upgrade
- Scale
- Provides a one-in-200-year level of protection against flooding. Includes several miles of linear flood defences, new pumping stations, flow control structures, and a huge flood storage area near Calverley (equivalent to over 720 Olympic-sized swimming pools).
- Disciplines
- civil; hydraulic; environmental; geotechnical
- Standards & frameworks
- 1-in-200-year standard of protection plus climate change allowance.
Sources: "Ten years on: How devastating floods led to a more resilient city", Leeds Climate Commission, 2026, https://leedsclimate.org.uk/lcc-news/case-study/ten-years-on-how-devastating-floods-led-to-a-more-resilient-city/ - "Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 | Leeds.gov.uk", Leeds City Council, https://www.leeds.gov.uk/flooding/leeds-flood-alleviation-scheme - "Reimagining what's possible - Flood alleviation in Leeds", AECOM, https://publications.aecom.com/water/managing-flood-risk/projects/flood-alleviation-in-leeds/ - "10 year collaboration secures long term flood protection for Leeds", Mott MacDonald, https://www.mottmac.com/en-us/projects/10-year-collaboration-secures-long-term-flood-protection-for-leeds/