Leeds Flood Defense Scheme Awarded

BAM Nuttall Mott Macdonald Joint Venture, set up to deliver coastal and fluvial works under the WEM (Water and Environment Management) framework, has been awarded a contract valued at £23 million by Leeds City Council, which it procured using the EA’s WEM Framework procurement facility.

The aim of the scheme is to provide 1 in 75 year flood protection for the city of Leeds with works extending for 4.3km from the city mainline railway station to just below Knostrop weir.

An island at Knostrop Cut which separates the river from the canal will be removed to allow the river and canal to merge. This will assist the flow of water in flood conditions. Linear flood defenses in the form of walls and hard landscaping in the city center will also be constructed.

On completion this scheme will provide the city center, over 3,000 homes and 500 businesses, with protection against a one in 75 year flood event from the River Aire and Hol Beck.

The project will take 125 weeks with a completion date of March 2017.