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Broadland flood alleviation

Norfolk, United Kingdom

Year

2006

Duration

20 years

Cost

£117.6m over 20 years

Location

United Kingdom
Project achievements

Solved the problem

Stopping homes and farmland flooding. Previous

Used engineering skill

Flood banks, boating and angling facilities improved.

Conservation

Habitats/wetlands for rare birds protected.

Upgrade flood defences across a large area covering Norfolk and Suffolk

This 20-year project covers 30,000 hectares of environmentally and economically sensitive land in the east of England.

This project has provided sustainable and affordable, long-term flood defences for rural communities.

It has also meant protection and improvement of habitat for rare and endangered species and protection for some of the most productive farmland in the UK.

Did you know …

  1. Two Iron Age causeways, a rare Saxon canoe and a Roman coin hoard are just some of the archaeological finds during the works.

  2. 60% of the project area is below sea level.

  3. Project works take up just 3% of the area they protect.

  4. Over 100 adders relocated from the works area.

Project achievements and benefits

The project upgraded over 240km of flood bank with re-used and reclaimed materials with 10km of ‘hard’ edges replaced with reed banks and lagoons.

Over 3km of overhead electric cables are now underground – improving the landscape and making the area safer for farmers and anglers.

For boaters, there are enhanced mooring facilities, improved navigation of channels and new slipways.

For anglers there are new platforms as well as for everyone to enjoy the area, 100km of upgraded footpaths.

Protection is now in place for:

 

  • 30,000 hectares of land including 21,000 hectares of farmland.
  • 1,700 properties, including 1,000 homes (5 communities are protected for the first time).
  • The A47 and Norwich to Great Yarmouth/Lowestoft rail line.
  • Internationally important wetlands, including: 28 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, the Broads Special Area of Conservation, Broadland Special Protection Area, Ramsar site of designated international importance.
aerial view
This aerial view shows the scale of the works area
Piling work
Piling work under way for bridge moorings
flood bank
Construction of a new flood bank
Barges
Barges were used to aid in piling work. Credit Mike Page
Geldstone footbridge
Geldstone footbridge
Diagram of the completed works
Diagram of the completed works
This aerial view shows the scale of the works area
Piling work under way for bridge moorings
Construction of a new flood bank
Barges were used to aid in piling work. Credit Mike Page
Geldstone footbridge
Diagram of the completed works

People who made it happen

  • Client: Environment Agency
  • Contractor: Broadland Environmental Services (BESL), a BAM Nuttall and CH2M consortium
  • Natural England
  • Broads Authority
  • RSPB, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association, over 100 land owners, Norfolk County Council

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