The Environment Agency is modifying its proposals for the Perry Barr and Witton Flood Risk Management Scheme because of budgetary constraints.

The Perry Barr and Witton flood risk management scheme in Birmingham stretches from Perry Barr to Hurricane Business Park, near Bromford. There are 1,408 properties at risk from this section of the River Tame; including 774 residential and 634 commercial properties. The scheme is 1 of 6 separate projects that take forward the recommendations of the River Tame flood risk management strategy.

The Agency wrote to stakeholders at the end of June to explain that a detailed ground investigation during 2013 had raised fundamental issues for its plans. During the design development for the flood walls ground investigation results indicated that the cost of increasing the wall height would be considerably higher than estimated. This was because the ground conditions were softer and more porous than anticipated at a higher level which  would result in the need for major engineering works including piled foundations to  reduce seepage.

However in-situ pile tests indicated that the underlying rock was harder than expected -meaning that piled foundations became impossible or expensive to install. The letter says: “These works were not feasible within the available budget. “

As a result, the Environment Agency undertook a re-evaluation exercise and the only feasible option identified was to consider increased upstream flood storage at Forge Mill and possibly on the Perry Brook in order to reduce the amount of new flood walls required

The letter explains that there are some significant environmental benefits of the proposed new approach. The Agency says that by increasing flood storage upstream, the volume of water flowing downstream is reduced – meaning that the walls in Witton do not need to be as high as the 2.5m previously proposed. In addition, foundations do not need to be as deep and so existing foundations can be used for raising the walls.

The new scheme that is being proposed now consists of two phases (Phases 1 and 2) summarised as follows:

Phase 1

• new flood walls at Brookvale Road up to 1.5m high from road level;
• flood gates on either end of Atlas Bridge;
• new flood walls at Tame Road up to 1m high;
• installation of erosion prevention measures at the toe of the left river bank along Tame Road;
• the removal of a sewer;
• improvements to three existing weirs for environmental outcomes.

Phase 2

The Phase 2 works are completely new compared with the information published previously and propose increased upstream storage at Forge Mill – the Agency has recently published a Preliminary Environmental Information (PEI) document for the new Phase 2 works.

The proposed timetable for the scheme is the submission planning application for Phase 1 in autumn 2014 with construction to begin in Spring 2015. This would be followed by planning application submission for Phase 2 in Spring 2015 with construction beginning  in 2016.

The Environment Agency is now inviting stakeholder comment, including two public events on 31 July and 2 August where staff will be on hand to provide information about new proposals for the flood scheme.

Rachel Kelly, Environment Agency Project Manager said:

“We would like residents and businesses to come along and talk to us about proposals for the flood defences. Like all major rivers, the River Tame has a history of flooding. In June and July 2007, there was widespread flooding to areas along the river – including areas of Perry Barr and Witton.”

“We are disappointed that we could not continue with our original proposals but are hopeful that our new designs will be accepted and offer a benefit to the residents of Witton. This is a chance for people to let us know what they think about the proposed designs and let us know about any concerns they may have.”