Leeds flood defence scheme starts work to remove part of island

Work to remove the earth is to last about six months, said Leeds City Council

The removal of part of a man-made island in the River Aire to help Leeds' flood defences has begun.

Workers are to take away 2,000ft (600m) of a thin strip of land between the River Aire and the Aire and Calder canal at the Knostrop Cut in West Yorkshire.

It is designed to increase the flow of water out of the city centre during a flood, said Leeds City Council.

The full £45m scheme is designed to protect 3,500 homes and businesses.

The council said the work was expected to take about six months.

An embankment, flood walls and storage pond at Woodlesford have already been completed in the first stage of construction.

The flood scheme is to include the UK's first moveable weirs which can be lowered to reduce river levels, the council said.

​The Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme started in 2014 and is scheduled to be finished in March 2017.