John Sisk & Son has been appointed to deliver a £38m flood defence scheme in Derby, aimed at protecting hundreds of riverside properties.
The contract, awarded by Derby City Council, forms the next phase of the Our City, Our River (OCOR) programme, one of the largest local authority-led flood protection schemes in England.
Known as Derby Riverside, the latest works will reinforce flood resilience along the left bank of the River Derwent, from Causey Bridge to Derwent Bridge.
The scheme involves construction of a new flood wall and floodgates to protect Exeter House and homes along Meadow Road and Meadow Lane. It will also include the demolition of riverside office blocks on Stuart Street, clearing space for a green corridor to help manage floodwater through the city.
Enabling works are already underway, with demolition and construction scheduled to start in May. Several riverside trees will be removed to allow construction and to maintain an unobstructed route for floodwater through the new park area.
Sisk Infrastructure managing director Alan Rodger said the contractor would “leverage the latest innovations and sustainability practices” to deliver the project.
The council said the scheme was a critical step in its long-term plan to safeguard the city centre from extreme weather and enable riverside regeneration.
David Turnbull, area flood and coastal risk manager at the Environment Agency, said the contract marked a “complex but vital phase” in enhancing Derby’s resilience to climate change.
The OCOR programme has already protected more than 2,000 properties and is being delivered in partnership with the Environment Agency. Derby Riverside will extend protection to the east bank and pave the way for further development along the river.
Source: Sisk press release