River Sheaf - Clyde Road Wall Collapse
Since last October Clyde Rd off Broadfield Rd has been partly blocked off by an emergency flood wall whilst sadly several popular businesses in the Antiques Quarter have had to close due to collapsing river walls. But this could be an opportunity to restore one of the most crudely engineered sections of the Sheaf.
View of collapsed wall and footbridge supports from Broadfield Rd
Late in 2024 high water flow in the Sheaf resulted in the collapse of the left bank retaining wall between Broadfield and Clyde Roads. This follows from a similar collapse of the right bank several years ago which was repaired by the EA and Northern Power for a six figure sum.
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The recent collapse was so severe that the businesses on the riverside including Antiques Emporium, the café and car repair have all been forced to close and the EA has acquired them for demolition.
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The double collapse shows that there is a bigger issue with the way the channel here has been straightened and the bed entirely paved, creating a powerful flume effect.
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We have held meetings with the EA and City Council team currently designing a new flood defence scheme for both the Sheaf and Porter to put the case for changing the profile of the channel including a more meandering and naturalistic course and creation of softer, and where possible more sloping banks to slow flows and make more room for the river.
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Whilst we are very sorry for the businesses so badly affected the Clyde Road site now offers a great opportunity to put these ideas into practice.
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As the full Sheaf and Porter flood scheme is still going through a design and funding process its likely that a fairly crude interim solution may be implemented first to allow Clyde Road to be reopened but we will continue to lobby for a more imaginative final design which could reduce flood risk whilst also creating badly needed wildlife habitat, public amenity and access for river stewardship, as has been created at Matilda St on the Porter or Nursery St on the Don.
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Consultation on the full Sheaf-Porter Flood Alleviation Scheme is expected in early 2026.
