The Environment Agency will put maps, plans, drawings and pictures on display on Wednesday, 11 March in Stanground, Peterborough to outline the next phase of work on its £26m Whittlesey Washes flood reservoir scheme.
Whittlesey Washes, also known as the Nene Washes, stores water from the River Nene when it is ‘tide-locked’. This happens when heavy rainfall increases river flows and coincides with high tides, meaning the extra water cannot be released through the Dog in a Doublet sluice. As the tide recedes, water is released from the reservoir and into the tidal River Nene through the Ring’s End sluice.
The three year, £26 million Environment Agency-led scheme will strengthen a 16km stretch of the South Barrier Bank.
Guy Szomi, Environment Agency catchment engineer, said the work will improve the condition of the South Barrier Bank so it can continue to protect hundreds of homes, roads, and railways in and around Peterborough, as well as 8,000 hectares of farmland to the southeast of the city.
Phase 3 will strengthen the 3-kilometre stretch of bank between Stanground and Ball Bridge in Whittlesey. A low, 249-metre concrete wall will be built between Stanground Sluice and the car park.
The third phase of the works – between Stanground and Whittlesey – will start on 9 March - construction works are set to be complete by the end of the year.
Members of the Environment Agency’s project team will be available to answer questions at the presentation.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.