Client Name: Environment Agency Location: UK, East Sussex Services: Project and programme management
Project Description: In February 2020, Storms Ciara and Dennis caused significant damage to the shingle coastal defences at Jury’s Gap in East Sussex. In order to stabilise defences in readiness for subsequent winter storm seasons, AECOM project managed a major emergency intervention to protect homes and businesses in the surrounding area. Through the Environment Agency’s National Recovery Programme, AECOM led the design and construction in a challenging setting, which included a live MoD firing range and multiple complex environmental designations
Added value: The project, which returned 1km of coastal defence to its pre-storm standard of protection, was completed under budget and ahead of schedule allowing a record breeding season for Avocets within the working area. Completed during coronavirus restrictions, the 8-month scheme installed 550 linear meters of rock armour with 50,000m3 of graded shingle and avoided over 1,000,000 miles of HGV traffic. The project received a clean bill of health following an independent environmental review, with no health and safety incidents. This highly reactive project involved dovetailing schedules with a major Environment Agency coastal defence scheme at Hythe Ranges, located between Hythe and Dymchurch on the south Kent coast, in order to procure specialist dredging equipment at short notice. This has led to the scheme being jointly shortlisted for the Flood and Coast International Excellence Award.