DALLAS, Sept. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs
(NYSE:J), together with the Environment Agency and contractor BAM
Nuttall, celebrates the completion of the 20-year Broadland
Flood Alleviation Project to improve 149 miles of flood defenses in
the Broads National Park, a wetland area of international
importance in eastern Norfolk,
England.
Awarded in May 2001 to Jacobs and
BAM Nuttall, the $195 million (£140
million) project provided a range of flood defense improvements,
maintenance and emergency response services in the tidal areas of
the River Yare, River Bure and River
Waveney and their tributaries. As well as achieving its objectives
of improved flood defenses to protect homes and farmland, there
have been significant environmental improvements and enhancements
to recreational facilities for Broads users and residents, and
protection of habitat for rare and endangered species.
Under the agreement, Jacobs acted as consultant and BAM Nuttall
as contractor, working together in a joint venture as Broadland
Environmental Services Ltd (BESL). Scope included responsibility
for design, consultation, statutory approvals, strategy
development, implementation (including construction works to
improve the assets) and monitoring.
Following completion of the improvement works, the flood defense
systems and assets continued to be maintained by BESL until
May 2021.
"The Broadland Flood Alleviation Project will leave a
significant legacy – safeguarding land and communities from flood,
protecting local economic activity and providing an enhanced
natural environment," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions
Senior Vice President for Europe
and Digital Strategies Donald
Morrison. "The project's success demonstrates that
large-scale improvement schemes with a strategic approach to
improving existing flood defenses can be accomplished within a
nationally and internationally important wetland area. The close
collaboration within the core delivery team and stakeholder and
landowner involvement in the detailed phases of public consultation
has been central to the success of this project."
"This is an amazing project to have been involved in," said
Environment Agency Project Manager Paul
Michelmore. "It has given us a unique opportunity to extend
the life of these flood defenses, and in doing so help to preserve
the special qualities of the Broads. We now have a more sustainable
flood defense system, which will reduce the burden on future
generations for its upkeep. Working closely with Jacobs and BAM
Nuttall as BESL has enabled us to provide a lasting solution to an
area of unique value to the environment."
BAM Nuttall Business Excellence Officer David McGowan said: "Leading the development of
innovative, sustainable solutions for rural flood protection
schemes, this team maximized the use of material surrounding the
work and minimized traffic through local communities. Repeating
results along the 150 miles of defenses, new habitats have been
created for a variety of species to thrive. And over two decades,
the project has provided employment and opportunities to develop
skills for over 1,000 local people, leaving a lasting positive
legacy for people living and working in Norfolk."
Key project achievements include:
Improved flood risk management
- Over 149 miles (240 kilometers) of flood banks have been
upgraded, with over 22 mi (36km) of land realigned inland.
- 1,700 properties and five previously undefended communities,
rail and road infrastructure systems, important archaeological and
built heritage structural remains, and several recreational
facilities are now better protected from flooding.
- Major transport links have also benefited including the A47 and
Norwich-Great Yarmouth/Lowestoft railway lines.
Agriculture and land management
- 24,000ha (59,305ac) of prime agricultural land and 28
designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are
protected from being breached by floodwaters. Over nearly 2mi (3km)
of overhead electric cables are now underground – improving the
landscape and making the area safer for farmers and anglers.
Water
- 17mi (28 km) of hard, piled edges removed and replaced with
soft reeded fringes. These "green defenses" are created by using a
technique called setback – building a new flood bank further back
and removing old piling next to the water to allow the restoration
of a traditional Broadland reed
fringe.
- This provides major landscape benefits as well as contributing
to Water Framework Directive objectives.
Angling, navigation and recreation
- 3.2mi (5.2km) of public moorings and five slipways
upgraded.
- New angling platforms provided.
- Setback areas provide 500,000 cubic meters of dredging disposal
sites, which create new areas for flood alleviation, habitat and
recreation.
- 62mi (100km) of public footpath improved, with over 3mi (5km)
surfaced for easy access. Delivered in partnerships with local
authorities.
Environmental performance
- Use of reclaimed materials – some 4.7mi (7.5km) of steel sheet
and timber piles have been reused within the project area. The
remaining materials have been processed and recycled.
- Almost zero waste created by reducing the amount of new
materials required.
Biodiversity
- A 200% increase in the number of nationally endangered water
voles during the 20-year course of the project.
- Creation of the largest temporary adder bank in the U.K., some
984 feet (300 meters) long.
- Thousands of biological records created by the project now
passed on to county records centers to contribute to the natural
knowledge of the area.
Read more about the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project
here.
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by
solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities,
resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational
advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing,
turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for
good. With $14 billion in revenue and
a talent force of approximately 55,000, Jacobs provides a full
spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical,
scientific and project delivery for the government and private
sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute
forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements
are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same.
Statements made in this release that are not based on historical
fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking
statements on management's current estimates and expectations as
well as currently available competitive, financial and economic
data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently
uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business
results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements,
including, but not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,
including the emergence and spread of variants of COVID-19, and the
related reaction of governments on global and regional market
conditions and the company's business. For a description of some
additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results
to differ from our forward-looking statements, see our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 2, 2020, and in particular the
discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk
Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended July 2, 2021, and in particular
the discussions contained under Part I, Item 2 - Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations; Part II, Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Part II, Item
1A - Risk Factors, as well as the company's other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any
duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date
of this press release to conform to actual results, except as
required by applicable law.
For press/media inquiries:
Kerrie Sparks
214.583.8433
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacobs-delivers-broadland-flood-alleviation-project-301367503.html
SOURCE Jacobs