Our Water Management team’s Matthew Genn recently had a site walkover of the new Derby City Flood Alleviation (Our City, Our River) scheme. The event was part of the ICE 200-year celebrations, and ran by the Environment Agency, Derby City Council and GBV Ltd.
The existing flood defences in Derby are reaching the end of their design life, and in 2011 the Environment Agency adopted the Lower Derwent Flood Risk Management Strategy to reduce the existing 1 in 25-year risk from the River Derwent.
The latest scheme is to update, renew and realign the city’s defences to reduce the flood risk to 2000 properties, businesses, infrastructure and heritage. As well as identifying opportunities to redevelop the riverside area in Derby, and work to maintain and enhance the local environment and heritage.
The scheme is to be delivered in 3 phases, with Phase 1 nearing completion and Phase 2 in planning. The walkover was of the Phase 1 works from the Alfreton Road Industrial Estate to the Sowter Road area, with flood walls, storage areas and soft landscaping to try and provide protection to the city.
More details about the scheme can be found:
https://www.derby.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/our-city-our-river/