Following an extreme flooding event in 2012 to a residential area in Goole, Yorkshire, MMB (J N Bentley and Mott McDonald) have completed a £6 million scheme after subsequent studies showed properties in the area were at risk of further flooding.

The project for Yorkshire Water included the construction of two weir chambers, localised sewer upsizing, tunnelled and open cut overflow sewers and a 2500m³ storage shaft to provide flooding protection during storm events.

The precast concrete drainage products were supplied by Marshalls Civils and Drainage who worked with MMB to ensure minimum disruption to local occupants as the work was carried out close to residential housing and a railway line.   A taxi service was provided for residents who had usual access disrupted, and an assembly held at the local primary school focusing on the water cycle and health and safety around construction sites.

Mark Ewen, Design Director at MMB said, “The affected areas of Attlee Drive, Kennedy Drive and Churchill Walk are predominantly occupied by retired couples, with St Joseph’s RC Primary School, off Kennedy Drive.  Due to the build-up nature of the area where the previous flooding had occurred, identifying a suitable area to site the required storage was problematic.  The scheme is now complete and commissioned; during our 20-months on site, not one complaint was received by our client.”

Precast concrete drainage products make an ideal choice for flooding areas.  Not only are concrete products inherently resistant to uplift or floatation due to their weight during flooding and cases of rising groundwater, they are also resistant to the damage from the impact of hard objects carried when flooding occurs.  Innovations in product development has seen hydraulic features being incorporated into concrete drainage systems such as flow control devices and silt traps etc.

Upon completion, the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) in Yorkshire and Humber recognised MMB for engineering excellence at their annual ceremony that was held at Sheffield City Hall with Mark Ewen commenting, “We are delighted that such a unique civil engineering project has been recognised by the ICE.”

For further information on the water management solutions Marshalls Civils and Drainage can offer please call our team on 01179 814500 or email salesemail@marshalls.co.uk