Projects

Managing flood risk at Perry Barr with the Environment Agency

The Perry Barr and Witton flood risk management scheme is a nationally-significant project with huge social, environmental and economic implications.

Key information

Client Environment Agency

Location United Kingdom

Project type Infrastructure

Services Cost and commercial management, Project management

Project timeline 2016 - 2021

Aerial of Perry Barr Flood risk management scheme on the River Tame, Birmingham, UK

Contact

Graeme Braithwaite

Director

+44 (0)121 2621100

Reducing flood risk

We have supported the Environment Agency (EA) since 2011, providing full commercial, project management and advisory services in the successful delivery of their flood and coastal erosion risk management programme, alongside habitat enhancement and wider business improvement initiatives.

In 2007 the areas of Perry Barr and Witton in Birmingham were devastated when the River Tame burst its banks and caused flood damage to over 400 properties. This EA scheme will reduce future flood risk along the river by constructing a 1.7 million cubic metre flood storage reservoir in the Sandwell Valley and flood defence walls through Witton. The project reduces flood risk for 1,379 properties with estimated financial benefits exceeding £440m.

As well as the benefits to properties and businesses, approximately 20,000 trees will be planted in the Sandwell Valley, creating a large wet woodland habitat and circular walking path. This will help naturalise the river, improving the area’s ecological biodiversity.

project story

Implementing systems

Our project team led the implementation of efficient and productive project management systems on the Perry Barr project, particularly from pre-contract negotiations, including cost management services to agree and evaluate the target cost at contract appointment.

Our team implemented change control procedures alongside business case updates to EA’s large projects board. These updates involved extensive workshops and communication with key stakeholders, bringing them together to share a collaborative approach to development in the local community. Our project management oversight retained close control over the project, which was expected to complete in 2021.

Involving the community

This project was complex; unlike most standard infrastructure schemes it involved multiple landowners and the temporary flooding of an area over four square kilometres. Our involvement was to lead the scheme as client project manager up to completion. Significant stakeholder engagement dominated this role, including nature conservation charity the RSPB, local golf club and school and Birmingham and Sandwell councils.

The project held environmental days on site, bringing together the project team(s) and volunteers (including some from our organisation).