The project was entered in the ICE East of England Merit Awards, the ‘Oscars’ of the civil engineering world. The Awards recognise excellence in design and construction. The Broadland Flood Alleviation Project was awarded Exceptional Merit, the highest level of award.
The project includes over 240km of floodbank with reused and reclaimed materials. Reed banks and lagoons have replaced 10km of ‘hard’ edges. Over 3km of overhead electric cables have been placed underground improving the landscape and making the area safe for farmers and anglers. Better mooring facilities, slipways and navigation channels, new angling platforms and 100km of upgraded footpaths have also been included.
The scheme provides flood protection to 1,700 properties, the A47 and the Norwich-Great Yarmouth rail line. Internationally important wetlands have been improved and protected including: 28 Sites of Special Scientific Interest; the Broads Special Area of Conservation; Broadland Special Protection Area; Ramasar site of designated international importance.
And now the public will have an opportunity to vote for the project in the People’s Choice Award. Twelve projects from across the UK have been nominated and the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project has been selected to represent the East of England. Public voting opens on Monday 13 November and ends on Friday 1 December. To vote visit: www.ice.org.uk/Peopleschoiceaward
Image The Broadland flood Alleviation Project team receiving the Exceptional Merit Award certificate from ICE East of England Chairman, Andy Palmer