The EA has strategic outcome measures for the reduction of flood risk to properties and creation of habitats. The existing 200-year-old sea defences at the mouth of the River Otter are now starting to fail and becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, impacting on public infrastructure, local businesses and homes, and recreational facilities. Enhancing the defences and undertaking managed realignment will reduce flood risk to properties whilst creating compensatory inter-tidal habitat for that lost to coastal squeeze in locations such as the Exe Estuary that have benefitted from new flood defences.
Project context
The project involves undertaking a managed realignment scheme where the River Otter meets the sea near Budleigh Salterton in East Devon, with associated adaptation and enhancement of the downstream part of the River Otter, its estuary, and its immediate surroundings for future generations in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The project will create an increased area of rare inter-tidal habitat with significant biodiversity benefits, including for birdlife. The project provides compensatory inter-tidal habitat for that lost to coastal squeeze in sites such as the Exe Estuary which are benefiting from new flood defence initiatives.
The project is expected to take 5 years to complete with a construction value of £22m. The works comprise interactions with the South West Coast Path, establishing residential and business vehicle access, road raising, establishing a new location for the local cricket club and reconnecting the river to its floodplain allowing it to flood and drain naturally by breaching the embankments in several places. The breaches will be spanned by bridges to allow continued public access.
The ask of AECOM
AECOM have been engaged on a PSC Option E contract to provide NEC4 ECC Project Manager and Cost Manager services.