A significant milestone has been reached in the Leigh flood expansion project.
- The first of three new 12.5-tonne flood gates has been installed in Kent.
- The expanded flood storage area aims to protect over 1,400 homes and businesses.
- A collaboration of local councils and the Environment Agency is spearheading the project.
- Funding comes from government grants and regional partnerships.
A significant milestone has been achieved in the ambitious £21.2M Leigh flood storage area (FSA) expansion in Kent. The project, which seeks to reduce flood risk for over 1,400 homes and businesses in Tonbridge, Hildenborough, and nearby areas, reached a pivotal moment with the installation of the first of three new flood gates. The successful installation of this 12.5-tonne gate was accomplished by contractor VolkerStevin using a 300-tonne crane, marking considerable progress in a project scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
The Leigh FSA currently provides protection against flooding from the River Medway, safeguarding approximately 1,200 properties by storing peak floodwater and regulating downstream flows. The approved expansion plans to increase the maximum water storage level from 28.05m to 28.6m above ordnance datum (AOD), which will enhance the storage capacity by 25% to more than 7 million cubic metres. This initiative will extend flood protection to an additional 200 homes.
The project comprises two principal components: augmenting the Leigh FSA’s capacity and constructing a new embankment to offer further protection to properties in Hildenborough. Additionally, the expansion necessitates an extra 16.4 hectares of land to accommodate the heightened water levels. In August, subcontractor VolkerGround Engineering installed 46 steel tube bearing piles, each measuring 508mm in diameter and 15m in length, creating a stable platform for the crane essential for gate installation.
The project is being propelled forward by a collaborative effort between local authorities, including Kent County Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, alongside the Environment Agency. Funding has been sourced from the government’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid, supplemented by contributions from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, now part of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership.
The Environment Agency’s area director for Kent, South London, and East Sussex hailed the gate installation as a “huge achievement,” reassuring that the flood storage area will remain operational throughout the project’s duration, continuing to protect people, homes, and businesses.
Echoing this sentiment, Tonbridge and Malling Council leader Matt Boughton remarked on the progress, stating, “It takes us a step closer to providing even greater protection from the risk of flooding to local homes and businesses, which can have a devastating impact.” The Kent and Medway Economic Partnership chair, Liz Gibney, expressed delight at the gate’s installation, underscoring the severe financial ramifications of flood damage, with average costs in a commercial setting estimated at £80,000.
Gibney emphasised that the new investment would provide peace of mind to businesses in the area and encourage further investment. Her sentiments reflect a widespread expectation that enhanced flood defences will bolster business confidence and economic stability in the locality.
The achievement marks substantial momentum in securing the flood-resilient future of the Medway catchment communities.
