The UK’s largest inland flood risk scheme has moved forward with the award of a major appraisal study to GBV, a joint venture comprising Galliford Try and Black & Veatch.
The studies represent a critical next step for the scheme. Flood risk for more than 15,000 properties, including all communities between Datchet and Teddington, will be reduced by the River Thames Scheme. The work encompasses many areas affected by major flooding in the winter of 2013-14.
The appraisal study will assess feasibility, undertake outline design, and create a business case for the scheme.
“In recent years we have experienced some of the UK’s worst floods, and we expect the extreme weather which caused them will become more frequent. This makes the appraisal work a significant step in reducing risk to more communities along the Thames,” according to Matthew Nott, director for GBV.
Once funding is secured, the major engineering undertaking will see the creation of a new flood channel running parallel to the River Thames between Windsor and Shepperton. In addition the capacity of the weirs at Sunbury, Molesey and Teddington will be increased; and the Desborough Cut widened.
“To facilitate this we will be undertaking outline design, and a diverse range of environmental, geotechnical, hydraulic and economic assessments; drawing upon experience gained on the Jubilee River, Olympic Park, and Thames Tideway projects,” Nott added.
Galliford Try undertakes the bulk of GBV’s construction work. In addition to some construction services Black & Veatch provides the full suite of consulting and design services. As a result Black & Veatch will deliver most of the River Thames Scheme appraisal study.
The scope of the River Thames Scheme appraisal study includes: outline design and costing of approximately 15km of flood relief channel, two motorway crossings, two rail bridges, 12 major river control structures and the material management associated with 140 hectares of landscaping
Black & Veatch and Galliford Try have been GBV joint venture partners since June 2013 on the Environment Agency’s Water and Environmental Management (WEM) framework