News story

Environment Agency flood risk schemes win 3 construction awards

Medmerry managed realignment scheme wins two awards and Godmanchester flood risk management scheme wins the Outstanding Contribution Award

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
The only UK project to win two awards, Medmerry protects 348 properties

The only UK project to win two awards, Medmerry protects 348 properties

Medmerry managed realignment in West Sussex, the UK’s largest manmade coastal habitat flood scheme, has won ‘The Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award’ and ‘Civil Engineering Project of the Year’ in the 2014 British Construction Industry Awards.

The only UK project to win two awards, Medmerry protects 348 properties, two holiday parks, a water treatment works and a main road serving over 5,000 households in Selby. In addition it has created 183 hectares of intertidal habitat which encourages visitors to the area.

The ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’ went to the Godmanchester flood risk management scheme in Cambridgeshire. This scheme, which cost £9.1 million and protects 556 properties, consists of 1.5km of engineered defences made from earth embankments, sheet piles and masonry clad reinforced concrete walls. It also includes two new pumping stations.

Godmanchester is a Roman town that has a long history of flooding. The team that delivered this project worked hard to make sure that the defences were in keeping with the surroundings.

Dr Paul Leinster, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said:

These awards recognise the excellent work of our dedicated staff and contractors in protecting people and property through delivering innovative and effective flood risk management schemes.

The Medmerry managed realignment scheme in West Sussex protects 348 homes, important infrastructure that serves over 5,000 households and creates an intertidal habitat at the same time that will boost tourism in the area.

The Godmanchester flood risk management scheme in Cambridgeshire, which has been built so that it’s in keeping with this historic town, protects 556 properties from flooding.

These schemes have been completed as part of the ongoing programme of investment in flood assets, which aims to reduce the risk of flooding to 165,000 properties between 2011/12 and 2014/15.

1 in 6 people are at risk of flooding in England. To find out your risk and sign up to free flood warnings go to: https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding

For further information on the British Construction Industry Awards please visit: http://www.bciawards.org.uk/winners-2014

For more information on Medmerry visit: our blog

Published 9 October 2014