The EA has strategic outcome measures for the reduction of flood risk to properties and creation of habitats. Carlisle is at the confluence of three major rivers and has a long history of flooding. Despite the presence of an existing high standard of flood protection, Storm Desmond in 2015 resulted in a period of prolonged rainfall on a saturated catchment creating record breaking water levels that overtopped the defences in several areas and flooded many properties. Following a government review, an extra £25m of funding was allocated above the normal amount of Grant in Aid (GiA) to allow the improvement of these existing flood defences to protect the City of Carlisle against a future Storm Desmond sized event.
Project context
The project involves an appraisal of the existing flood defences within the city of Carlisle and subsequent design and construction of improved flood defences. Due to the size of the project and the need to deliver works on the ground as quickly as possible the scheme was split into 3 phases:
- Phase 1 was delivered first which improved the flood defences of the East of the city. The phase comprised of the raising of existing defences, construction of new defences and associated assets such as floodgates and a new pumping station. This Phase provided improved flood defences to 1067 homes and was completed in April 2021.
- Phase 2 commenced after Phase 1 and focussed on the centre of the city. The phase comprised of the raising of existing defences, construction of new defences and associated assets such as floodgates. Phase 2 improved flood defences to 52 commercial properties and protects key roads and infrastructure. The phase was completed in April 2021.
- Phase 3 is the final element of the scheme which focusses on the West of the city. This phase is currently in the appraisal stage and will comprise of the construction of upstream storage to reduce flows through the city in high waters, raising of existing flood defences and construction of new flood defences.
- Delivery of Phases 1 and 2 and the initial appraisal of Phase 3 has cost £26m to date and has a forecast outturn cost of £71m.
The ask of AECOM
The EA required specialist Project Management to aid in the delivery of this very high profile and complex multi-phased project. AECOM initially provided a single Project Manager to deliver Phase 1, through evidencing our high-quality people and delivering successful outcomes this opportunity grew with AECOM providing the Project Executive (PE) for the overall portfolio, the Project Managers for all 3 Phases and the ECC PM for both of the completed phases.