Fordingbridge Flood Alleviation

The completion of the Fordingbridge defences was an integrated project involving the Environment Agency, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, Fordingbridge Town Council and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The scheme included the construction of a system of flood defences on the River Avon, Ashford Water and Allen Brook, the construction of a three kilometre flood bypass channel for flood flows from the Ashford Water and improvements to surface water, groundwater and highway drainage systems.

The River Avon catchment is of international and national importance for nature conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The new bypass channel was chosen because it minimised the amount of hard defences needed by diverting floodwater over a floodplain instead of trying to contain it within Fordingbridge. It had the added benefit of providing opportunities to improve wildlife habitats within the Avon Valley.

The sheme won a Considerate Constructor’s Silver award. Going to just 7% of UK construction sites, these awards recognise efforts made to minimise inconvenience in the immediate neighbourhood and a commitment to raise standards of site management, safety and environmental awareness beyond statutory requirements.