New pumps keep £35 million flood defence scheme on track

It is all part of a £35 million investment to upgrade the 80-year-old pumping station which will bring both flood-risk and environmental benefits to the Isle of Axholme area which takes in some 500km of North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire.

The two pumps were tested in Holland before they were shipped to England. Together, they have the combined power to fill an olympic swimming pool in about 5 minutes.

They have now arrived at Keadby as work on the project continues with contractors and staff from the Environment Agency following recent Public Health England safe working advice.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

The first 2 pumps will be installed over the next 2 months; the remaining 4 pumps will be delivered and installed before the end of the year.

After the pumps are installed we will be able to finish refurbishing the pumping station and re-constructing the outfall to the River Trent.

Throughout the work we will continue to operate the pumping station to manage flood risk and water levels. The work is on schedule and the new pumps will be operational in early 2021, with the rest of the refurbishment complete by the end of 2021.

This project is part of the Environment Agency’s £140 million asset repair programme for 2020. Work on the projects continue where it is safe for our teams and delivery partners to do so.

We are following the latest guidance from Public Health England to ensure the safety of our staff, partners and the communities we work in is a priority.

Project background

The current station has reached the end of its working life because the pumps and the equipment are unreliable, costly to maintain and are increasingly at risk of breaking down. However, they will be maintained and will be fully operational until the station update is complete.

The scheme also includes the construction of new electrical equipment buildings within the existing site and rebuilding of the outfall headwall.

The contract was awarded to GBV, a joint venture between Galliford Try and Black & Veatch.

The pumps and motors are the first 2 of 6 to be installed. Each weighs around 10 tonnes. They have been delivered as part of GBV’s scope of supply. They are Pentair Fairbanks Nijhuis pumps (from Holland). The new pumps are also ‘fish-friendly’ and will allow safe navigation for fish and eels on their natural migration. The measure is recognised as vital to protecting wildlife and improving the health of rivers.