The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) Annual Report on Major Projects 2022-23 is highlighting significant issues requiring management attention for several major flood schemes - and rates the HS2 rail line as “unachievable.”
The IPA’s updated ratings system is ranking the flood schemes as amber where "successful delivery appears feasible but significant issues already exist, requiring management attention. These appear resolvable at this stage and, if addressed promptly, should not present a cost/schedule overrun."
Four individual schemes - the Bridgwater Barrier, Leeds Phase 2 Flood Scheme, the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme and the River Thames Scheme have now been removed from the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) and rolled into a single programme ‘the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management 6-year Capital Programme’, which is being delivered by DEFRA. The Pevensey and Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme was rated amber when it entered the GMPP in 2022-23. Following the 2021-22 Annual Report on major projects, the IPA moved from a 5-tier* to a 3-tier DCA rating system in June 2021.
The ratings are:
GREEN Successful delivery of the project on time, budget and quality appears highly likely and there are no major outstanding issues that at this stage appear to threaten delivery significantly.
AMBER/GREEN* Successful delivery appears probable; however, constant attention will be needed to ensure risks do not materialise into major issues threatening delivery. ( *this rating can no longer be given to projects)
AMBER - Successful delivery appears feasible but significant issues already exist, requiring management attention. These appear resolvable at this stage and, if addressed promptly, should not present a cost/schedule overrun.
AMBER/RED* Successful delivery of the project is in doubt, with major risks or issues apparent in a number of key areas. Urgent action is needed to address these problems and/or assess whether resolution is feasible. (*this rating can no longer be given to projects)
RED Successful delivery of the project appears to be unachievable. There are major issues with project definition, schedule, budget, quality and/or benefits delivery, which at this stage do not appear to be manageable or resolvable. The project may need re-scoping and/or its overall viability reassessed.
The flood schemes have been assigned the following rankings:
- Bridgwater Barrier – moved from green in 2021- 22 to amber in 2022-23 The Environment Agency are working in partnership with Sedgemoor District Council to deliver this project to provide protection from tidal flooding on the Parrett Estuary to the town of Bridgwater and villages downstream.
- Leeds Phase 2 Flood Scheme – on amber for last three years running 2020-21, 2021-22 & 2022-23 The aim of the scheme is to deliver a 1 in 200 year level of protection (plus climate change allowance) across Leeds using a catchment wide approach via use of linear flood defences, a large flood storage area and a programme of natural flood management measures.
- Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme - on amber for last three years running 2020-21, 2021-22 & 2022-23 DEFRA is working with 9 partners on a major new flood scheme for Oxford, which will reduce flood risk to homes, businesses and major transport routes into the city. . The aim of the scheme is to deliver a 1 in 200 year level of protection (plus climate change allowance) through the use of linear flood defences, a large flood storage area and a programme of natural flood management measures
- Pevensey and Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme – rated amber when it entered the GMPP in 2022-23 A partnership project between the Environment Agency and Eastbourne Borough Council to deliver a scheme to manage flood and erosion risk in an area from Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne on the southeast coast of England.
- River Thames Scheme – moved from green in 2020- 21 to amber for 2021-22 & 2022-23 The River Thames Scheme has 3 main goals: protecting communities by reducing the risk of flooding, increasing the natural capital of the River Thames and securing the economy
The IPA is the government’s centre of expertise for infrastructure and major projects reporting to the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.
Click here to download the IPA Annual Report on Major Projects 2022-23
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