Tip Side River Restoration

The project is situated in Todmorden, a town historically devastated by floods. Centuries of landscape degradation, from the deforestation of the uplands to the canalization of rivers, have led to worsening flooding issues, forcing people to deal with increasingly severe consequences. River Calder in Todmorden is one of the main sources of flooding within the town.

The proposed design aims to restore the river to its natural state. Naturalizing the river will improve flood resilience, enhance biodiversity, and create new recreational opportunities. By demolishing the river walls and re-meandering the channel, peak flows during heavy rainfall will be reduced, thereby mitigating flood impacts and safeguarding the homes and livelihoods of local residents. Overall, the river itself is designed to embrace the flood, and will also become a haven for a variety of birds and aquatic species.