BAM Nuttall has helped carry out a virtual test of a flood alleviation scheme in Leeds.

The contractor worked in partnership with the Environment Agency (EA) to ensure work to install a moveable weir on the River Aire is ready for this winter.

The scheme at Crown Point was carried out as part of the first phase of Leeds' flood alleviation scheme.

Works involved blocking half of the river with 1,500 tonnes of rock, creating a platform for heavy plant vehicles to drive in sheet piles and create a dry working place. Once this was completed, work to remove the existing weir could begin.


In addition, a penstock has been installed to act as a gate to manage water levels. It was also used to mitigate the risk of flooding during the construction phase of the moveable weir. When raised, upstream river levels can be lowered when high flows are expected in the river.

Construction is now underway to replace Knostrop Weir with the third weir gate currently being installed. Once complete, the moveable weirs at Crown Point and Knostrop will be capable of lowering river levels during flood conditions.

Work to install flood walls on the River Aire is now also complete, including glazed flood panels in locations such as the former KPMG building and Victoria Quays. Work to install flood defences along Hol Beck has also now started.

(LM/JP)