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Lower Don Valley Flood Alleviation Scheme

A pioneering scheme reducing the risk of flooding in the Lower Don Valley. Supporting investment and regeneration as well as opening up the river to the public in this vital economic area for Sheffield.

Location:

8km along the River Don – from Nursery Street in the City Centre to Blackburn Brook near Meadowhall

Timeframe:

Completed in 2017

Cost:

£21m

A completed flood defence wall running alongside the river.
The completed flood defences – Credit: Sheffield City Council

Extensive flooding in Sheffield city centre.
The Wicker in Sheffield during the floods of 2007 – Credit: Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

Background:

The Lower Don Valley is one of Sheffield’s key economic areas. It’s home to hundreds of businesses, providing thousands of jobs for the city and the wider region.

The large, flat areas of land along the River Don have formed Sheffield’s industrial heartland since the industrial revolution. Major businesses like Sheffield Forgemasters and Gripple operate here to this day. Unfortunately, the lower lying nature of this area left it susceptible to the effects of flooding.

Flooding in 2000 and 2007 caused significant disruption to businesses and infrastructure. 2007 saw the worst flood event since the Great Flood of 1864. As many as 2,300 properties were flooded across Sheffield. And the impact on the Lower Don Valley was particularly bad.

Extensive flooding in Sheffield city centre.
The Wicker after heavy flooding in 2007 – Credit: Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

Summary of project:

In response, the Lower Don Valley Flood Alleviation Scheme was developed by Sheffield City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency and supported by the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The scheme improved defences at over 50 locations along this 8km stretch. Designs allow for further adaptation in the future, recognising the impacts of climate change.

Interventions included:

  • Flood defence walls
  • Flood gates
  • Other infrastructure improvements
  • River maintenance
  • Riverside enhancement, including installation of a fish pass at Sanderson’s Weir

The scheme was the first of its kind in the country to use private sector contributions from a Business Improvement District (an area within which businesses elect to pay in order to fund projects and improvements). This secured £1.4m, with the remainder financed by public funds.

Three engineers working on a concrete flood defence wall.
Construction of flood defences – Credit: CPC Civils

Two people carrying a shopping trolley removed from the river.
River channel maintenance as part of the River Stewardship Company social enterprise – Credit: River Stewardship Company

Benefits

  • The scheme has reduced the risk of flooding for over 500 existing businesses, giving them the security to invest and grow. It has also reassured potential new investors that flood risk is being addressed. This gives them confidence that new development near the river is viable.

  • This positive economic impact has provided the conditions to safeguard approximately 5,000 existing jobs, support the creation of new jobs, and prevent the loss of jobs through businesses moving to other areas.

  • Highways networks and power and telecommunications infrastructure are now better protected.

  • The scheme has also delivered physical and environmental improvements. These include improved public safety related to flood risk to highways, footpaths and local visitor attractions.

  • Wherever possible, the scheme has also delivered better access to the river as a public amenity. Its long-term maintenance and management arrangements ensure sustained high standards of water quality and natural environment.

  • The scheme has been notable in providing for ongoing river channel maintenance, delivered by social enterprise the River Stewardship Company.

Further Information

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