Farmland, homes, and businesses across the south of Kessingland, Suffolk, will see new infrastructure for mitigating flooding
A flood defence contract has been signed between Balfour Beatty and the Waveney, Lower Yare & Lothingland Internal Drainage Board.
The contract will see new flood and coastal defences erected near Benacre.
The contract was awarded through the SCAPE framework
Upon the works completion, the contract will see protection for the A12 road, Parkdean Holiday Park, 35 homes, 46 businesses, and 600 hectares of farmland.
Work will begin on the Benacre Pumping Station, an old station originally built in 1955 that is no longer fit for use. Alongside this work, a new embankment will be constructed across the Lothingland Valley. This will help to manage tidal flooding and make room for another smaller pumping station.
Furthermore, a new intertidal channel will be dug between the new embankment and the coastline to create a habitat area, supporting migratory and breeding farmland birds, waterfowl, and seabirds over 82 hectares.
Peter Mumford, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s Regional Civils business, said: “We are proud to be delivering this vital flood defence scheme which once complete will safeguard critical infrastructure, local communities, and the environment.
“Drawing on our extensive experience and expertise, we will deliver this scheme to the highest standard, providing long-term protection for the Suffolk coastline and the people who depend on it.”
Desperate need for flood defences
Last September, the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) released a statement saying that the government needs to take urgent action on preparing the country’s flood defences.
In the face of climate change, flooding presents more of a damaging risk than ever.
Simon McWhirter, deputy chief executive officer at UKGBC, said: “It’s reassuring to see the government getting to grips with the heightened flood risk looming for so many communities and businesses; not just this autumn, but as an escalating issue in the coming years.
“People are rightly concerned about what the future holds, but the current National Adaptation Plan has left us woefully underprepared for the storms ahead.
“This government has inherited very little by way of plans for protecting existing buildings, or ensuring new developments and planning policy keep us safe. This Taskforce will need to help the Government arrive at a much more strategic and comprehensive plan to address flood hazards, while making sure that the most vulnerable and least able to pay for individual flood defences are protected.
“UKGBC is already convening experts from across the sector to develop a UK Climate Resilience Roadmap for the built environment and with specific recommendations for government action on flooding, overheating, wildfires and other risks. Industry and government will need to act decisively together to prepare for the major climate impacts that are sadly now inevitable.”
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