BOOSTING biodiversity efforts, work has completed to restore the wetlands area of Middlesex Filter Beds in Lee Valley Regional Park, decades after the former water supply system was abandoned. The maintenance and restoration project, which is a short distance from London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has seen a new biofuel generator installed alongside new pumps and control equipment, helping reinstate the water supply to the filter beds, which have origins dating back to the 1800s. A range of measures have also been developed to deter thieves and secure the site’s safety, including the design of a custom welded steel cage, reinforced with mesh plate, to house the new generator. The fenced compound will also be fitted with extra tree planting around the edge of the site to protect the restored filter beds.  Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard was behind the scheme, operating through Perfect Circle and appointed via the SCAPE BECS Framework to provide civil engineering services and work closely with contractor Neilcott to reinvigorate the wetlands habitat. Paul Cannaby, director of civil engineering at Pick Everard, said: “This has been an extremely rewarding project to work on, creating a wetlands ecosystem that has huge benefits for the local wildlife and surrounding area. “Through close liaison with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and community action groups, we’ve been able to maintain the historical integrity of the site, which was a key objective for the client in meeting a successful delivery programme. “The scheme has also allowed us to create a green space for the local community to enjoy, so dog walkers, runners and other members of the community can feel the benefits too. We’ll be continuing to collaborate with local stakeholders and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority to ensure the long-term viability of this area and see it returned to its former glory.” Having been built in the 1800s in response to the London cholera outbreaks, Middlesex’s Filter Beds cleaned the city’s water supplies but were eventually closed and abandoned as a new treatment facility took their place. Under the stewardship of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, a new pump, powered by a generator was later installed, but after multiple thefts of equipment the system fell into disrepair. Paul Roper, head of projects at Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said: “This has been a long running and complex project which initially seemed to offer more hurdles than solutions. However, Pick Everard came up with this interim solution whilst we still seek to route a permanent electricity supply to the site. The Park is delighted that we can now bring water and the biodiversity back to the filter beds for all to enjoy.” Pick Everard will be examining the available options to secure a permanent power supply to the site, and once the water supply system is reinstated, the area will be monitored by park rangers to ensure water levels are maintained at the correct depth. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit: www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Works will reinstate historic routes, boost habitats and biodiversity, and enhance local economic activity Alongside Chesterfield Canal Trust, landscape architecture practice, Influence Landscape Planning & Design, has announced the commencement of works on the next section of the Chesterfield Canal restoration project. The works, which are taking place on a 2.6km stretch of the canal, from Staveley Basin to the south of Renishaw, Derbyshire, will revitalise the historic canal for people to enjoy and for nature to thrive. Funded in part by the Staveley Town Deal, these works will see the reconstruction of up to 850 metres of canal channel, the construction of two new bridges – including a bridleway bridge to carry the Trans Pennine Trail over the canal – a new lock, and the enhancement of footpaths and cycleways. Following planning permission in 2021, on behalf of Chesterfield Canal Trust, Influence Landscape Planning & Design was appointed to produce a landscape masterplan for the project, which led to detailed landscape plans and a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP). Working alongside Peak Ecology and Rodgers Leask Consulting Engineers, the team successfully discharged the planning conditions related to the works. The design features of the landscape plan include attractive seating areas, viewing points, areas for families to play, information boards and clear wayfinding – as the scheme is integrated with the surrounding network of public rights of way. The landscape proposal includes native tree and shrub planting, areas of wildflower meadow, and aquatic planting along the length of the canal, creating a picturesque backdrop and a robust habitat for wildlife. Since restoration began in 1989, 12 miles of the Chesterfield Canal have been restored, alongside 37 locks, 11 bridges, and two marinas. The most recent sections completed include Staveley Basin in 2012 and Hartington Harbour in 2018. This phase of construction works is being delivered by midlands-based O’Brien Contractors, who are leading the first phase of this 18-month project, which includes major groundworks to clear the canal route and the landscaping. Following this, the abutments for the new Trans Pennine Trail bridge will be constructed, and by October, the 38-meter-long structure will be installed. Subsequent phases will see the reinstatement of the canal length, a new lock, another accommodation bridge at the bottom of Bellhouse Lane, a pumping system, and the creation of Bellhouse Basin. The towpath will be upgraded to a multi-user trail, extending across the Doe Lea Valley to Renishaw. This restoration project not only enhances outdoor spaces and creates new leisure infrastructure, but it is also expected to increase visitors to the Staveley area by 20%, boosting local economic activity. George Rogers, Development Manager at Chesterfield Canal Trust, said: “This project represents a major advance in the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal, as we move out of Staveley and into the Doe Lea valley. Moving into a more rural environment, it was really important to us that we gave proper consideration to the landscaping and to ensure that the restoration has a positive impact upon its surroundings for both wildlife and the community. “Working with Influence and Peak Ecology on these plans has been enlightening and rewarding, and we are excited to see the new landscape maturing over time and the local community being better able to access this wonderful corner of Derbyshire.” Kathryn Dunk, Principal Landscape Architect at Influence Landscape Planning & Design, said: “It’s been such a pleasure to be involved in a project that marries engineering heritage with new public spaces for all to enjoy, and importantly, this scheme gave us the opportunity to reinstate and enhance native planting to create new habitats for wildlife. “It’s fantastic to see these former canal routes coming back to life and the historic importance of this site is truly fascinating. The team and I look forward to seeing people spending leisure time on the newly restored pathways and on the water.” Chesterfield Canal Trust invites the public to follow the progress of these works on its website, which shares the ongoing efforts to bring the historic canal back to life. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Work on the fifth and final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme is set to start in the first week of September along Ports Creek, the northern shore of Portsea Island. The work will include 1.3 km of flood defences with a design consisting of a sloped earth embankment, which provides the required flood defence level, with rock armour towards the creek. Construction company Knights Brown was appointed in August to carry out the work which is set to finish by the end of 2026. Knights Brown previously constructed the first and third phases, meaning they will have completed the majority of work on this valuable scheme. Construction site boundaries will comprise of the area north of the Hilsea Lines moat. Visitors will still be able to access the woodlands known as Foxes Forest on the southern side of the moat. The Portsbridge carpark near Portsbridge roundabout will be closed for the duration of the work. The footbridge leading over the M27 from Peronne Road will be closed for a one-week period in October, to allow a temporary overpass for pedestrians to be constructed. The overpass will remain in place for the duration of the work, maintaining pedestrian access to the footbridge. The footbridge adjacent to the railway line, further east along the creek, will be closed from November 2024 for a period of approximately 12 months (more information will be available when the detailed construction programme is finalised). Diversion routes will be signposted and updates will be available through signage, on social media and the website. As this phase will regenerate an area famous for its green open spaces the focus will be on retaining the natural feel by planting trees, native scrubs and wildflowers, improving paths, and access to the coastal path along the waterfront. New picnic benches, seating, play areas and viewing platforms along the coastal path route will create a more enjoyable environment. The North Portsea Coastal Scheme will also protect the Hilsea Lines by providing a future proof flood defence system, ensuring that this nationally important historical asset will be available for visitors to enjoy for the decades ahead. The project is funded by the Environment Agency and implemented by Coastal Partners on behalf of Portsmouth City Council. Portsmouth City Council Leader, Cllr Steve Pitt said: “We’re very pleased to be working collaboratively with Knights Brown on the final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme. It’s an exciting time as we forge towards completing the final link in this vital £85.9million sea defence project, which is made possible thanks to funding by the Environment Agency.” The scheme as a whole is one of the largest local authority-led coastal flood defence projects in the UK and is crucial for the protection of Portsmouth residents. The defences will safeguard more than 4,000 homes and almost 500 businesses. In total, it covers 8.4km of coastline from Tipner through to Milton. Most of the area is low-lying and many of the current coastal defences were approaching the end of their effective lives. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Win marks Costain’s latest major AMP8 award of 2024. CMDP+, a joint venture between Costain and MWH Treatment, has been selected by Southern Water to shape and deliver its next strategic asset upgrade programme. The award is for an initial seven-year term worth at least £500m to Costain, with an option to extend by up to five years. CMDP+ has successfully secured a place on two Lots of the new Strategic Delivery Partner framework, and the joint venture continues the long-standing relationship between Costain, MWH Treatment and Southern Water. The framework will deliver upgrades to water and wastewater assets, including treatment sites, pumping stations and reservoirs, during Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) and beyond. Southern Water expects that its AMP8 programme, which runs from 2025 to 2030, will be the largest it has ever undertaken. Costain has worked successfully with Southern Water through every asset management investment period since 2000 (AMP3). Earlier this year, the joint venture was awarded £65m of additional work for Southern Water’s current AMP7 investment programme. Alex Vaughan, CEO, Costain, commented: “This AMP8 announcement builds on our growing positions with the leading water companies as they prepare for a nationally important period of record investment. “This framework marks three decades of delivering industry leading essential solutions for Southern Water. Through our successful joint venture with MWH Treatment, we will upgrade water and wastewater services for Southern Water and its customers, safeguarding the environment, and securing water supplies across the region; as well as creating new jobs and added social value.” Paul Bresnan, Chief Executive, MWH Treatment, commented: “I am delighted that MWH Treatment is continuing our long-standing relationship with Southern Water, alongside our joint venture partner, Costain. “We will see the need for continued innovation, along with more sustainable solutions that provide great value for customers with increased resilience against the impacts of climate change and population growth. “Together with Costain we look forward to working with Southern Water to meet these challenges, collaboratively delivering the AMP8 investment into both water and wastewater services across the entire region. “This significant award is particularly pleasing as many of our staff are Southern Water customers and will get the opportunity to make a difference in the area they reside.” Stuart Ledger, Chief Financial Officer, Southern Water, said: “This announcement marks an important milestone in our preparation for the next regulatory investment period 2025-30 and beyond. Southern plans to more than double its investment over the next 5 years to meet the needs of customers and the environment. I am confident that working together with our partners we will fully meet this challenge.” Costain continues to increase its presence in the water sector, and has recently secured long-term framework agreements with United Utilities and Northumbrian Water to deliver strategic infrastructure programmes for their respective AMP8 investment cycles. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Yorkshire Water is set to invest £797m over the next 12 months in network improvements as it continues to enhance and upgrade its operations.  The investment follows £530m in the 2022/23 financial year and more than £750m in 2023/24.  The investment will focus on:  Richard Stuart, director of asset delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: “In Yorkshire, between 2015 and 2025, we’ll have invested over £4.7 billion into improving our infrastructure. In the next year, we’ll be spending almost £800m on our key environmental improvement plans for wastewater treatment works around the region and ensuring we provide clean, safe drinking water.   “This investment includes finishing a £180 million programme to reduce the use of storm overflows across the county, the start of a £60m investment at Ilkley wastewater treatment works to improve bathing water quality, significant investment at some of our larger water treatment works to increase resilience in the drinking water network and the continuation of our £500m programme to reduce Phosphorus entering watercourses from our treatment works throughout the region.”  The £797m spent in the next 12 months is in line with Yorkshire Water’s investment commitment during the final year of the five-year 2020-2025 business period.  The water company is already planning investment for the following five years (2025-2030) and submitted its plans to Ofwat in October, which outlined a £7.8bn investment in the region that will support employment for more than 10,000 people across Yorkshire. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Yorkshire Water has awarded the BarhaleEnpure JV a £15m project to carry out major upgrade works at a key water treatment works on the edge of Huddersfield. The project will conduct a programme of improvements to the Fixby plant which lies adjacent to the M62 on the northern edge of the Pennine’s town. Upgrades to the raw water blending and inlet mixing arrangements will include replacement of both the inlet and mixer tanks and the replacement and refurbishment of the existing 600mm pipework. BarhaleEnpure JV will also upgrade the mixing arrangements of the raw water blend with the coagulation chemicals (ferric sulphate and lime); refurbish and improve the Dissolved Air Flotation plant (including changing DAF nozzles to Enpure’s Enflo-DAFTM system); upgrade and refurbish six Rapid Gravity Filters to improve both clarified and filtered water quality; install a new polyelectrolyte dosing system; carry out upgrade and replacement across the lime discharge and dosing system; and complete general upgrades to the built fabric of the site. BarhaleEnpure Project Delivery Leader, Chris Mathers, explained that the works are another important element in Yorkshire Water’s programme of investment to improve water quality. “The works at Fixby will deliver a step change in the treatment works’ performance and ensure it exceeds the expectations of the Drinking Water Inspectorate both now and in the future,” he said. Steve Milling, the JV Framework Manager, said “The award of this contract demonstrates the strength of the BarhaleEnpure JV, bringing together their Civil/ MEICA/Process capability and working closely with Yorkshire Water across the region. We look forward to delivering this important water treatment works upgrade successfully before the end of spring 2025.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals