Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire High Risk Debris Screen Programme 21/22

As we mark World Water Day 2022, we take a look at a project that has achieved multiple nominations and awards for its innovative methods, designed to prevent flooding in the Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire regions.

Waterman Aspen Associate Director, Scott Cowan, is currently seconded into The Environment Agency as a Project Manager via Binnies. His team are leading the national efforts in the North West to implement updates to meet new guidance in the CIRIA (Construction Industry Research and Information Association) Culvert, Screen and Outfall Manual.

The EA Delivery team (alongside Principal Contractor, Cheetham Hill Construction and their designers, JBA) have delivered upgrades to 18 sites since December 2020, reducing flood risk to over 2,000 properties by the installation of debris screens. These are structures that help to reduce the risk of rubbish and debris entering culverts or channels that could cause a blockage.

The project won the NW CECA ‘Project of the Year under £1m’ award 2021 and has been nominated in three categories at the ICE North West Civil Engineering awards 2022.

To support net zero carbon by 2030, the designs have used low carbon concrete and HVO fuel instead of gas oil to help reduce emissions. The use of low carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars have been used in place of steel rebar – put forward as a pilot scheme pioneered in the North West.

The established “Screen Team” are now planning the delivery of a further 150 debris screen improvements in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire areas over the next four years.