The work on the EA £21m Ipswich Flood Barrier scheme, which runs along the River Orwell, includes the design, construction and installation of a 30m wide tidal barrier gate.

Contractors have installed a cofferdam that can be pumped dry to enable construction of the barrier to take place below the river bed level, pumped it dry and excavated the river silts and gravel over the past few months.

The next stage will encompass pouring the base slab, which consists of more than 700 cubic metres of reinforced concrete, and the placement of steel reinforcement which is being done by a team of 20 individuals; the first pour of the base slab will be completed within the next few weeks.

Foundations for the flood walls and the control building have now been installed. The tidal gate itself is being forged in Holland, and will be delivered once the concrete structure and control building have been completed sometime later this year.

EA project manager Andrew Usborne said: “The integrated team at the barrier are making good progress and are on programme to complete the works in spring 2018.”

This project, which is being funded by the Environment Agency, Ipswich Borough Council, Department for Communities and Local Government, the Haven Gateway Partnership, and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, will reduce the risk of flooding to 1,608 homes and 422 businesses as well as support key infrastructure.

According to VBA operations director Nick Culshaw: “It has been a real honour to be working with and supporting the EA on this vital project in Ipswich. In order to protect around 2,000 properties, both commercial and residential, within the town from flooding in the future, a 20m wide tidal barrier gate, along with the relevant controls, will be installed.”

The next key milestone will be the delivery of the tidal gate from Holland later in the year.

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