The heavy rains of autumn 2000 badly hit the Georgian town of Bewdley in the UK. Nestled on the banks of the River Severn, frontage properties experienced devastating floods three times in six weeks.
The Environment Agency had already begun to assess flood alleviation options, but public and political pressure meant the programme needed to be accelerated.
As one of the agency’s framework consultants, Halcrow was asked to develop a design concept for conventional and demountable flood defences on the historic quayside. The demountable barrier was the first of its type in the UK and can be removed when the river subsides, restoring the picturesque quayside views.
Following our environmental assessment and public consultation, the government-funded project began construction in 2002.
The award-winning, 630m-long flood defence system will protect 175 properties from flooding.