The large scale multi-site contract involves projects spread across the whole of the Cumbria and Lancashire regions as well as the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire and is in response to the severe flooding during December 2015. The scope consists of asset inspection, design, costing and delivery to flood damaged assets ranging from minor sheet pile and embankment wall repairs to new flood wall reconstruction.

Keith Roddy, recovery programme manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Engineering solutions are being carefully carried out by VBA and the EA operations team in collaboration, to ensure the flood defences are repaired to the same condition as before the flood devastation. I am delighted with the progress so far.”

A key deadline for the recovery works package is to ensure defences are winter ready by the end of September 2016 and the appointment of VBA will ensure this is achieved.

Mark Gardner, framework director of VBA, commented: “We are pleased to be able to give something back to the local communities who have been so severely impacted by recent flood events. As specialists in this area, it is vital that VBA makes sure the repairs are ready in time for this winter and carried out sensitively and swiftly to meet the key milestones. We will be supporting the local community, residents and land owners, with regular updates.”

All the works in areas impacted by the floods have a key interface with land owners and residents and will be addressed through ongoing stakeholder and community engagement which is vital to the success of this contract.