Topic Projects
Date 02 Feb 2018
A new flood basin in Salford constructed by the Galliford Try Black & Veatch joint venture has been officially opened.
The scheme will keep up to 2,000 homes safe from flooding. The Boxing Day floods in 2015 left 2,250 homes and 500 business flooded, more than 31,200 properties without power and the damage to infrastructure totalled £11.5m.
The £10m storage basin spans 28 hectares within a meander loop of the River Irwell and has the equivalent capacity of 250 Olympic-size swimming pools. It will capture overflow from the river when levels rise and flooding is predicted. The water will then be released by two outlet pipes once river levels start to fall again. The site doubles up as a nature reserve, wetlands and there is space for seven sports pitches.
A viewing mound in the nature reserve is named Harry's Hill in honour of Harry Davies, a member of the community steering group that helped to guide design of the site. He sadly passed away 14 months ago. Aspects of Kersal racecourse and Castle Irwell which once occupied the side have been colourfully depicted by graffiti artist Kelzo on small functional buildings across the site.
Coinciding with World Wetlands Day on 2 February, the opening was performed by Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett and Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, our client along with Salford City Council.