Ipswich Tidal Barrier
River Orwell, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK · 2015-2019 (commissioned 2018, officially opened February 2019) · £67.4 million (total cost, with £54.6 million from Environment Agency, £3.4 million from Ipswich Borough Council, £6.6 million from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, £1.7 million from Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, and £1.1 million from UK Power Networks)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project was a flagship for the Environment Agency, showcasing innovative flood defence technology. - Value engineering proposals during the design phase led to a gate design that can rotate 180 degrees for easier and safer inspection and maintenance without crane hire or diving operations. - The scheme was partnership-funded, demonstrating collaboration between various public and private entities. - The project won multiple awards for technical excellence, innovation, and sustainable construction practices.
Key engineering challenges
Designing, fabricating, and installing a large rotating sector gate, the first of its kind in the UK since the Thames Barrier. - Diverting the River Orwell during construction while maintaining navigation. - Integrating the barrier with new and refurbished flood walls and gates along the riverbanks. - Ensuring the barrier's resilience against projected sea level rises due to climate change.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Environment Agency; Ipswich Borough Council; New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership; Regional Flood and Coastal Committee; UK Power Networks
- Lead contractor
- VolkerStevin (design, fabrication, and installation)
- Lead designers
- VolkerStevin (main contractor for design and build); Tony Gee and Partners (consulting engineers for river diversion during construction).
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 20m-wide, 200-tonne rotating sector steel barrier gate; 1,100 metres of new and refurbished flood walls; series of flood gates; protects 1,600 homes and 400 businesses; designed for 1-in-300 year (0.33%) chance of flooding over 100 years.
- Disciplines
- civil; hydraulic; mechanical; structural; geotechnical
- Standards & frameworks
- Relevant UK flood defence standards; designed to protect against a 1-in-300 year flood event.
Sources: "£67.4 million Ipswich tidal flood barrier officially opened", GOV.UK, 2019, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/674-million-ipswich-tidal-flood-barrier-officially-opened - "Ipswich Tidal Barrier", VolkerStevin, https://www.volkerstevin.co.uk/en/projects/ipswich-tidal-barrier - "Ipswich Tidal Barrier", Constructing Excellence, https://constructingexcellence.org.uk/ipswich-tidal-barrier/ - "Ipswich Tidal Flood Barrier", Tony Gee and Partners, https://www.tonygee.com/our-work/ipswich-flood-barrier