Environment Agency Collaborative Delivery Framework
VolkerStevin has held a place on the Collaborative Delivery Framework since 2019, the purpose of which is to deliver the majority of the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) capital programme. The Environment Agency appointed sole contractors and consultants to work alongside their own teams in six geographical regions. VolkerStevin was appointed to the southeast and northwest regions.
Being entrusted to two of the six regions demonstrates the Environment Agency’s faith in our ability and track record of delivering flood and coastal defence projects – only one other contractor was awarded two regions. This is the fourth consecutive Environment Agency flood defence framework we have held a place on, a successful relationship stretching back to 2002.
What we are doing
The Environment Agency wanted the framework to promote innovative ways of collaborative working with delivery partners and local communities from the initial planning stages of a project right through to its completion. This built on positive experiences from ‘hub’ working that was introduced to fast-track delivery mid-way through the previous WEM Framework, and incorporates learnings from other leading infrastructure providers and best practice such as Project 13 principles.
Project values range from £250k to £50m+ and cover construction of fluvial, coastal and tidal flood defences, impounding structures, coastal engineering, wave and scour protection, hard coastal defences, revetment works, outfalls, breakwaters, rock armour placement, habitat creation, river restoration, ‘soft’ engineering, pumping and control systems, land remediation, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation (MEICA), lock gates, floodgates, flood barriers, navigation, and regeneration.
Our two regional teams are planning and delivering large pipelines of work. They are deriving efficiencies by offering buildability input early in the design of each scheme, batching works both geographically and by scope, and de-risking projects by widely engaging stakeholders and regulators. They are developing solutions to reduce the risk of river and coastal flooding as well as delivering social and environmental improvements.
Project successes
We have played a key role in the Environment Agency’s transition from a traditional framework model to a more efficient programme that has delivered time and cost savings, helping them work towards their overall target to protect 300,000 homes from flooding. As evidence of the success of the more collaborative working arrangements, the Environment Agency recently chose to extend the framework to 2027.
We are delivering some of the highest profile and most complex schemes. For example, the £21.5m Rother Tidal Walls East project in East Sussex. We are constructing 6.5km of earth embankments to protect the local community from flooding, and creating 4ha of saltmarsh that will preserve local bird and wildlife populations.
The £40.5m Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme is protecting residents and businesses on either side of the River Ribble with raised earth embankments, rock armour, and new precast concrete walls.
The £72m Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme, where we are installing 6km of new embankments, flood gates and raised walls that are sympathetic to the town’s history, character and charm. We are planting six new trees for every tree lost during construction and improving 55ha of habitat and recreational land.
We carefully manage the impact of our work on residents, business and community facilities, as well as leaving a legacy of improved and more accessible amenities. Each of the Rother, Preston and Kendal projects have secured full marks in independent Considerate Constructors Scheme audits as a measure of the care and attention our teams display.