Norton Bridge
Two Environment Agency (EA) Main Rivers were affected by the proposed scheme; the Meece Brook and River Sow, plus an Ordinary Watercourse tributary of the Meece brook. The alignment of the grade separation works required three new river crossings and two widenings of existing crossings to accommodate the track realignment.
Client: Temple Group
Status: Constructed and operational
Services
Flood Risk Services
- Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)
- Sustainable Drainage Strategy
- Flood Defence (Mitigation) Strategy
- Flood Investigation
- Hydrology & Hydraulic Modelling
- Flood Emergency Plan
- Basement Impact Assessment (BIA)
- Groundwater Flooding
- Expert Witness
Environmental Services
- Nutrient Neutrality
- Flow & Water Quality Monitoring & Sampling
- River Geomorphological Survey & Assessment
- Water Framework Directive (WFD) Assessment
- Water Resources Assessment
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Air Quality Assessment (AQA)
- Catchment Management Plans
- Environmental Permits, Licences & Consents
- Expert Witness
Engineering Services
- Sewerage Design
- Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Design
- Landscape Amenity & Sport Facility Drainage
- Earthworks Design
- River Design
- Roads & Driveways
- Expert Witness
Project details
Water Environment were appointed to develop a baseline hydraulic model of the Meece Brook, which built on an existing 1D model provided by the EA. Bespoke hydrological analysis was undertaken, for a range of return periods, to understand inflows to the river and ensure that all inflows were accounted for. The 1D model was improved with detailed channel survey at bridge locations, and enhanced through with further LiDAR data. A proposed model was developed to test the impact of the scheme on flood water levels and extents, and iterated to minimise impacts. The model was also used to review velocities and understand potential impact on structures throughout the design.
The team focused on ensuring that river channels were maintained wherever possible and, where required, river diversions were sensitively designed. This included provision of two-stage channels, backwaters and low flow baffles, aiming to maintain natural banks, sinuous planform and well-connected floodplains throughout.
Our work also included floodplain compensation calculations and drawings, to ensure no adverse impacts on flooding as a result of the works. We also joined forces with the team ecologist to author a detailed Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessment, to ensure that the scheme did not degrade the quality of affected rivers nor prevent them from reaching ‘good’ ecological status.
Our work was completed through authoring of the Water chapter of the Environmental Statement, in partnership with Temple Group, to ensure that there were no residual significant effects on the environment.