Bude Flood Alleviation Scheme Autumn 2023

In the Autumn of 2023 our team commenced the works to undertake a flood prevention scheme in the town of Bude for our client Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks, who are in turn working for the Environment Agency.

The project was to construct a reinforced concrete wall and a section of reinforced earth embankment to help prevent high tidal waters flooding part of the town.

Once the existing banks were reduced the specialist piling contractor placed the sheet piles along the section which was to receive the reinforced concrete wall. We then fixed the reinforcing steels and made up a specialist `Recki` formwork system ahead of the concrete pouring. This formwork gave an aesthetically pleasing stonework finish to the outer face once the concrete pour had cured. Upon completion a tailer made coping was fitted to the top of the wall, the kerb line reinstated to the highway and tarmac laid to complete.

The second phase of the scheme was to form a reinforced earth bank to the Southern section, where access would not have allowed the concrete wall to be built. The earth bank was formed with subsoils placed in layers with a specialist geogrid at regular intervals to reinforce the soils. Due to limited access this was carried out with small equipment and upon completion was topsoiled, seeded and covered with an anti-erosion matt.

Due to the horrendous weather, over many months, our landscape teams had to be very patient in carrying out the final topsoiling and soft landscaping to complete the scheme. Upon completion they planted 700 trees and shrubs, laid Sedum matting and reinstated the remaining areas with 1200m2 of turf. When all works were completed the local school children were invited by our client to help us paint the finished concrete with yoghurt, which is to done to speed up the growth on the new wall.