Broadland Flood Alleviation project has been honored with an ICE Exceptional Merit Award – the highest level of award, announced yesterday the Institution of Civil Engineers.
The Broadland scheme provides long-term flood defenses for rural communities across 30,000-hectares of Norfolk and Suffolk.
According to ICE, the project includes over 240 kilometers of floodbank with reused and reclaimed materials. Reed banks and lagoons have replaced 10km or ‘hard’ edges. Over 3km of overhead electric cables have been placed underground improving the landscape and making the area safe for farmers and anglers.
Better mooring facilities, slipways and navigation channels, new angling platforms and 100km of upgraded footpaths have also been included.
Internationally important wetlands have been improved and protected including: 28 Sites of Special Scientific Interest; the Broads Special Area of Conservation; Broadland Special Protection Area; Ramsar1 site of designated international importance.
Now, the public will have an opportunity to vote for the project in the People’s Choice Award. Twelve projects from across the UK have been nominated and the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project has been selected to represent the East of England. Public voting opens on Monday, 13 November and ends on Friday, 1 December.