St Neots flood defence scheme wins prestigious award
20 July 2010
The Environment Agency has been presented with an Exceptional Merit Award by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for its work on the St Neots Flood Risk Management project. The project was praised by the ICE East of England Chairman, Professor Paul Jowitt, for the effort the Environment Agency-led team had made to blend the flood defence into its surroundings.
The £1.6M flood defence project was completed in August 2009 and has reduced the risk of flooding to 115 properties in the Eaton Ford area of St Neots.
This flood alleviation scheme was designed to work with the existing landscape at Riverside Park. It involved building a new flood embankment in the Park and raising a section of Crosshall Road. Flower beds were incorporated into the design to act as a natural barrier to floodwater and to improve the look of the area.
The Environment Agency managed the project assisted by consultants Atkins, who designed the works; Team Van Oord, who built the scheme; and EC Harris and Royal Haskoning, who provided additional contract management and health and safety advice respectively. The project was paid for through local levy funding which is allocated by the regional flood defence committee.
Environment Agency project manager, Victoria Stockwell, said: "The team are extremely proud to have won this prestigious award. We would like to thank the local community who helped to make the project such a success."
Geoff Brighty, the Environment Agency's area manager added: "Protecting communities from flooding is a key part of what the Environment Agency does. We are delighted that this flood alleviation scheme, which will protect so many people from flooding, has been recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers."