Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme – July Update

The construction works continue on the Newhaven flood alleviation scheme, which is aimed to reduce the risk of flooding to approximately 430 homes and 390 businesses in and around the East Sussex.

According to the Environment Agency, the works on the west bank are complete and the focus is now on the east bank.

Area 1: A26 to Energy Recovery Facility, currently under construction

The Environment Agency constructed two clay-cored bunds to reduce the flood risk to properties on the east bank from the upstream flood plain.

One bund starts near the A26 junction with the B2109 and extends roughly 500 meters west across the flood plain, where it will tie into a new railway flood gate, due to be built near the existing pedestrian crossing. The second bund will tie into the western side of the flood gate and extend to the Energy Recovery Facility.

Area 2: Energy Recovery Facility to Swing Bridge, (East), currently under construction

The flood wall along East Quay is nearing completion, with waste clearance in the central section now complete. Piling is also complete.

In the following weeks capping will be fitted to the sheet piles and all fencing around properties will be reinstated. The ramp which joins the sheet piled wall to the Energy Recovery Facility is currently undergoing construction and will be complete by the end of July 2018.

Works will begin in EMR week commencing 16 July. This work will take approximately 9 weeks. It is anticipated that works in Area 2 will be complete by 30 September 2018.

Area 3: Riverside Park to Swing Bridge (West), construction complete

The Environment Agency has constructed a 150-meter-long bund north of Cantell’s boatyard and this will protect homes to the west. This work is now complete.

Denton Island works are now complete with the pedestrian footpath and cycle paths open.

Area 4: Swing Bridge (West) to West Quay, construction complete

A 140-meter-long reinforced concrete wall has been constructed from the south west side of the swing bridge to a point adjacent to the Ark pub.

Also, a 20 meter section of flood bund has been constructed in West Quay, raised by around 250 millimeters. This bund is complete, and the flood fence is operational.

Following the completion of the work at Huggett’s Green in summer 2017, the area and bund were seeded, trees were planted and the new grass became established.

However, there was a low spot and the long winter had an impact on the grass. Once the weather improved, contractors re-landscaped the low spot and sowed some more grass seed.

Despite this, the green is still not looking its best and the Environment Agency is working with Newhaven Town Council, Lewes District Council and their contractors JacksonHyder to return it to its original condition before handing it back to Lewes District Council.

Area 5: Swing Bridge (East) to Newhaven Beach, currently under construction

Area 5 extends from the Swing Bridge (east) along East Quay towards Newhaven Beach to a distance of approximately 1.3 kilometers. Planning permission is in place and detailed design is substantially complete, with some elements of the complex flood defense in the port area remaining to be finalized.

Works have been completed from the swing bridge to the University Technical College (UTC), which is a combination of reinforced concrete walls and Gabion basket walls with earth facing on the riverward side.