VBA Completes River Irwell Scheme

The VBA joint venture of VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and Atkins has successfully completed essential flood defense work along the River Irwell in Stubbins and Ramsbottom.

This nine month project saw VBA install 300m of sheet piling and a 45m concrete flood wall along the riverbank as well as divert local utility services and local footpaths. The successful completion of this project means that more than 164 homes and businesses are protected from the risk of flooding from River Irwell.

An official opening ceremony took place on Thursday (November 13), at Stubbins Memorial Gardens to mark the completion of the scheme and to celebrate the success of all involved.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the event and local residents were given a guided walk of the new flood defenses and invited to the site office to view displays depicting how the scheme has developed since the area was struck by flooding in 2012.

Rossendale Borough Council Leader, Alyson Barnes, said: “Flood defense work is so important to our residents and businesses. We, as a council, have prioritised this work since the dreadful flooding of 2012. We have been working closely with the county council, United Utilities and the Environment Agency, and our efforts are now paying off with record levels of investment coming into the borough.”

Throughout this project the team has continued to work closely with local residents to minimize disruption and ensure successful delivery of the project as well as established a local supply chain to procure materials locally.

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Press Release