A village packed with homes and businesses has been identified as a high risk flood area.
Marsden village centre is in danger of being flooded by surface water according to a flood risk map issued by the Environment Agency.
An area between Victoria Street, Church Street, Brougham Road and Manchester Road has been identified as a ‘high risk’ zone.
According to the Environment Agency a ‘high risk’ area has a greater than one in 30 chance of flooding each year.
The map can be viewed online at watermaps.environment-agency.gov.uk
Marsden’s valley basin location exposes it to flooding by water which fails to seep into the ground or reach a river, drain or other water course.
The area, which is home to most of Marsden’s businesses – and several homes – is also susceptible because of its proximity to the River Colne.
Marsden village suffered severe flooding – the worst in 30 years – in July 2002.
The bottom end of Peel Street was flooded, affecting about 50 properties.
Homes were evacuated, driveways torn up and debris was strewn across the streets.
But Colne Valley councillor David Ridgway doesn’t believe villagers should be panicking.
He said: “The problem is that the Environment Agency has a responsibility to inform people and they can’t put that forward without scaremongering. I think their manner of business is over the top.
“You’ll remember the Boscastle flood (the Cornish village was devastated by flash flooding in 2004); that’s exactly the situation that’s being considered for Marsden.”
Clr Ridgway added: “I find the whole thing to be bordering on silly.”
The Environment Agency has identified other areas around Kirklees and Calderdale at high risk of flooding from surface water or adjacent waterways.
Other areas at ‘high risk’ of surface water flooding include:
Birkby – Norman Park
Brighouse – Birds Royd Lane
Clayton West – Litherop Lane
Hillhouse – Calton Street and Hillhouse Lane
Kirkheaton – Church Lane
Mirfield – Parkfield Court
Shepley – Abbey Road
Other areas at ‘high risk’ or flooding from rivers, canals and other waterways include:
Aspley – St Andrew’s Road
Honley – New Mill Road
Leeds Road – A62
Leeds Road – between Whitacre Street and Springbank Road
Lockwood – Lockwood Road
Mirfield – Steanard Lane