Barrier lights up for key workers as £120m scheme set to be operational this summer

Recently , the barrier was lit up in blue as people around the country clapped for carers, NHS staff and other key workers.

In a message on Twitter, the Boston Barrier account tweeted that: “The control building was lit up blue to honour all NHS & key workers, including our colleagues at the Environment Agency, BAM Nuttall, and Mott MacDonald.”

The project has just been given a regional award for schemes that have had social impact by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RCIS) in the Infrastructure category.

The barrier gate was installed at the end of last year, and work is currently taking place on the flood walls and the wet dock.

The Environment Agency stresses that work during the coronavirus pandemic is being done within government restrictions.

A spokesperson for the agency said: “Work on the Boston Barrier Scheme continues and our contractors are working within the clear government guidance to ensure the safety of all on site.

“The barrier gate has been installed and work on the flood walls and at the wet dock entrance at the Port of Boston is progressing. Since its installation last November the barrier gate has successfully undergone a series of wet and dry commissioning tests.

“The barrier team have been working to remove the cofferdam over recent weeks, which provided the dry, safe construction space within the river. The next step will be to close the temporary diversion channel which was formed around the barrier construction works.

“Removal of the cofferdam should be complete by the end of this month and we are currently on track for the barrier to be operational by the end of summer this year.”

The project has just been named as the winner in the infrastructure section of the RICS Social Impact Awards for the East Midlands.

The judges said of the scheme: “There is nothing more powerful than the incoming tide, and few things more heart-breaking than a flooded home.

“Back in December 2013 the town of Boston was devastated by a tidal surge, bringing destruction to over 800 homes and businesses.

“Risk of repeat meant that the town regeneration was stalled. This project has embraced the community and brought about a huge boost in confidence, being a catalyst to regeneration.”

The three-year project is being led by the Environment Agency. The surveyor is Turner & Townsend Cost Management Limited, the architect, Mott MacDonald Ltd, and the developer/contractor, BAM Nuttall Ltd.

The scheme came on the back of the 2013 tidal surge which burst the banks of the Haven sending water rushing through more than 50 streets.

They were the worst floods in 60 years and caused widespread damage to more than 800 properties.

The Environment Agency responded by making it a national priority project and drew up potential solutions to avoid a repeat of the scenario. Turner & Townsend was appointed for both cost and project management responsibilities to assist in project strategy and contract execution.

The project was singled out recently by EA chair Emma Howard Boyd, pictured left, who sited it as an example of a key project work was continuing on.

She said: “The £120m barrier has undergone a series of tests in recent months to ensure it works as it should, and has passed with flying colours.

“Now that construction is complete, teams are working to remove the cofferdam, which provided the dry, safe construction space within the river. It should be done within the month, and the barrier should be operational by the end of the summer.”