The Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme, completed in 2022, was created in response to the devastating floods that struck England’s south coast in 2013. Driven by hurricane-force winds and the largest storm surge in 60 years, the event flooded more than 60 properties, disrupted local businesses, and affected major infrastructure, including the A26 and the Lewes-to-Seaford rail line. Working with the Environment Agency (EA), Arcadis helped design a scheme that reduces flood risk from the sea for 430 homes and 390 businesses.
Why flood risk is increasing
Several long-term trends are making flood events more frequent, more disruptive, and harder to manage. In England, the latest national assessment shows that around 6.3 million properties are already in areas at risk from rivers, the sea, surface water, or a combination of sources. That figure could rise to around 8 million properties, meaning one in four could face flood risk in the future.
The Newhaven flood alleviation scheme
Arcadis, in partnership with Jackson Civil Engineering, designed and delivered more than 4 kilometers of flood defenses to provide up to a 1-in-200-year standard of protection while accounting for climate change. Alongside homes and businesses, the scheme also reduces the risk of flooding for key local infrastructure, including the A26, the rail line, Newhaven train station, and the Port.
The scheme incorporates several types of defenses, including clay embankments, demountable barriers, reinforced concrete flood walls, low-level grass bunds, and temporary barriers. Some of those temporary defenses run along the A26 and across the rail line, making this the first flood defense scheme in the UK to cross an active railway. We worked closely with the Network Rail team to support its successful design and delivery.
A new, stronger sense of security supports wider regeneration by making it easier to attract investment, create jobs, and bring forward new homes and development. Delivered for a forecast cost of £18 million, the project was completed under budget and with only a limited time extension despite the disruption caused by COVID-19 restrictions.
How flood alleviation schemes protect communities
Protection requires multiple measures. In England, flood and coastal risk management combines engineered defenses, land and water management, planning controls, and community resilience measures to reduce both the likelihood of flooding and the damage it can cause.
The Newhaven team was really effective in delivering complex works to complete the flood risk management scheme at Newhaven. Communications, flexibility, and focus on delivery were key in ensuring the success of the scheme’s pioneering work designing and installing defenses across the railway during the pandemic. The team was exemplary in working together to resolve numerous complex issues to complete the scheme.
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