GRAHAM Wins Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme Contract in the UK, Construction to Start in 2027

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 15, the UK Environment Agency announced the appointment of GRAHAM to build the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme. The project will construct approximately 5 kilometers of flood defense system along the Thames River floodplain on the western side of Oxford, including new river channels, wetland corridors, flood embankments, flood walls, culverts, bridges, and flood gates. Construction is planned to begin in 2027, with a construction period of up to 5 years.

The main project corridor extends from north of Botley Road to Kennington and rejoins the Thames River at the southern end. The project will locally lower the existing floodplain ground levels to create new flood relief channels and flood storage capacity. When water levels rise in the Thames River and its tributaries such as Seacourt, Bulstake, and Hinksey, excess floodwater will enter the new channel and the lowered floodplain.

The construction scope also includes the removal of Towles Mill weir on Seacourt Stream, as well as the construction of new bridges, culverts, flood walls, embankments, and gates. The project also involves the protection of existing infrastructure including railways, roads, and communications, with some utility diversion works already procured separately. In July this year, the UK Environment Agency awarded a contract of nearly £1.98 million for the diversion of BT Openreach-related communications facilities.

The project will also create more than 20 hectares of new wetland habitat and approximately 16 hectares of floodplain meadow, connecting with existing ecological areas. GRAHAM will undertake the main works during the construction phase, including river channel excavation, earthworks, embankments, structures, and wetland creation.

The UK Treasury approved the project's full business case in September. The Environment Agency has since entered the construction preparation phase and continues to complete planning agreements and other remaining approvals. Oxford City Council approved in March this year the transfer of up to £4.35 million from the Housing Infrastructure Fund to the Environment Agency for project implementation.

Previous government review documents for the project show that the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme has a cash construction cost of approximately £176.08 million, including project development, risk, inflation, and first 10 years of maintenance funding. The project meets flood and coastal erosion risk management funding requirements and has secured third-party funding.

GRAHAM was awarded the early contractor involvement contract for the project in April this year, with a contract value of approximately £1.4937 million, running from March to October, primarily for pre-construction engineering and technical preparation. The September appointment corresponds to the subsequent main works delivery phase.

The project is led by the UK Environment Agency, with participation from Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, University of Oxford, Thames Water, and National Highways. Once completed, the project will cover areas of Oxford currently threatened by Thames River flooding while protecting railways, roads, and critical utilities.