Frankwell Flood Alleviation Scheme (Shrewsbury)
Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK · Ongoing maintenance (original construction not explicitly dated in current sources, but maintenance work started April 2018)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe scheme is a critical part of Shrewsbury's flood resilience, with ongoing maintenance to ensure its effectiveness. - The use of demountable barriers allows for access during normal conditions while providing protection when needed. - Aesthetic considerations are important for integrating flood defences into urban environments. - Trials of temporary flood defences were undertaken as part of a wider trial on the River Severn.
Key engineering challenges
Protecting homes and businesses from flooding from the River Severn. - Designing and implementing a combination of permanent flood walls and demountable barriers. - Maintaining the aesthetic of the flood defences to be in keeping with the surrounding area (e.g., sandstone cladding). - Ensuring the effectiveness and deployability of demountable flood barriers during flood events.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Environment Agency; Shropshire Council
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build | upgrade | refurbishment
- Scale
- Permanent flood walls (700m); demountable slats (155m) along the north bank of the River Severn.
- Disciplines
- civil; hydraulic
- Standards & frameworks
- Relevant UK flood defence standards and environmental regulations.
Sources: "Maintenance work starts on Shrewsbury flood defence", GOV.UK, 2018, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/maintenance-work-starts-on-shrewsbury-flood-defence - "Shrewsbury floods", Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrewsbury_floods - "Flood defences in Shrewsbury and Minsterley are set to receive a significant boost", Shropshire Live (Facebook), 2026, https://www.facebook.com/shropshirelive/posts/flood-defences-in-shrewsbury-and-minsterley-are-set-to-receive-a-significant-boo/1538858961006305/ - "Frankwell Flood Alleviation Scheme", assets.publishing.service.gov.uk, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a750f2ae5274a3cb2869546/gemi0304bhes-e-e.pdf