Gainsborough flood defence scheme: improving project delivery by reusing existing assets

Abstract

This paper shows how an integrated team enabled the UK Environment Agency to deliver a more cost-effective and sustainable solution to improving protection for over 2600 properties in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, from flooding by the tidal River Trent. The team identified several opportunities to cut costs, mitigate risks and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. At the outset, a detailed condition assessment and numerical analysis of existing flood defence structures enabled many of them to be reused, even though most were originally thought to be at the end of their design life. This and other initiatives resulted in cost savings £10 million, a shorter construction period and significantly lower environmental impact.