Unlocking the Severn: Delivering complex environmental construction projects on UK rivers

Overview

Join ICE Hereford and Worcester (H&W) Branch for a discussion on the conservation and river-engagement project: ‘Unlocking the Severn’, delivering passage at six man-made barriers in the Severn catchment through a partnership between the Canal & River Trust, Severn River Trust, Environment Agency and Natural England.

The ‘Unlocking the Severn’ project, currently nearing completion on the rivers Severn and Teme in Worcestershire, involves the construction of four large bypass channel fish passes at weirs on the River Severn, with a further partial weir removal and rock ramp at two weirs on the River Teme. Each barrier has its own unique challenges, design and requirements.

The majority of the funding has been through the Heritage Lottery Fund and EU LIFE.

The speakers will take a closer look at the design development for each site, before focusing on delivering construction at one key location on the River Severn and another on the River Teme.

Richard Harrison, Canal & Rivers Trust, and Richard Leigh, Kier, will explore how delivering the twin deep vertical slot fish pass at Diglis has been achieved, what it means for the local community and how it improves the biodiversity of the River Severn. Paul Herickx, Environment Agency, will explore the numerous design considerations of partially removing the weir at Powick and the challenges faced in ensuring that it remains suitable for Twaite Shad migration for many generations.