The Environment Agency has started more construction work this week on the Arundel tidal defence scheme.

A massive jack-up barge has been floated into position and started to install a new flood defence wall, made of steel sheet piles, along the River Road stretch of the scheme.

The jack-up barge is a mobile platform for plant working in water environments. fitted with long legs which have been lowered to the riverbed to secure it in position. The legs are raised to allow it to be moved.

The Agency had delayed the start of the piling works until Monday 30 March in order to put in place all required measures during the current emergency to allow site staff to operate safely and within Public Health England guidance.

The Environment Agency and suppliers are following government guidance - currently, critical construction activities should continue as long as they can comply with Public Health England advice. The works in Arundel include an already failed section of river wall and adjacent sections of wall that are continuing to deteriorate.

The Environment Agency said it will continue to follow Covid-19 guidance around construction over the coming days and weeks. The works are expected to take 5 weeks to complete – however, changes in guidance which could result in last minute and immediate changes to the status of the project.

Jack-up barge for working in water environments stands on 4 legs that are lowered on to the river bed