South Felixstowe

South Felixstowe Flood Alleviation Scheme

Our client
The Environment Agency is the leading UK public body with responsibility for protecting and improving the environment and plays an important role in the management of flood and coastal defences throughout England and Wales.

The Environment Agency awarded Team Van Oord the Felixstowe South Flood Alleviation Scheme in January 2008 in order to provide protection to residential properties, commercial interests and the UK's largest container port from the risk of coastal erosion and flooding.

Team Van Oord, a joint venture of Van Oord UK Ltd, JT Mackley and May Gurney, was created to compete for and undertake the Environment Agency's multi-discipline flood and coastal defence projects throughout England and Wales. 

Our work
Van Oord's scope of works included the provision of approximately 225,000 m³ of beach nourishment material in combination with the construction of 21 rock armour "T-shaped" groynes using approximately 75,000 tonnes of sea delivered rock materials including 3-6 tonne armour. 

In addition, Team Van Oord partner JT Mackley, undertook various piling and concrete works to the existing sea wall and promenade.

The shingle for the beach nourishment was dredged and screened by Van Oord's supply chain partner, Cemex UK Marine Ltd, before being delivered, via the Sliedrecht 27 floating booster station, through over 2 km of submerged pipeline.

Construction of the scheme, one of the largest awarded under the Environment Agency's second generation, four year Contractor's Framework, commenced in March 2008 and was completed at the end of September 2008. 

Our result
A key factor in Team Van Oord being selected to deliver this project was that the proposed construction methodology created the least disruption to the local residents and ensured no adverse impacts on the nearby Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and County Wildlife Site.