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site progress and this can be done in the future
without leaving the office. For example, in the
last 12 months we have kitted out eight excava-
tors with machine control and can now receive
data from the machines activity.
“By knowing just how much of the work-
load each machine has achieved and the time
taken, we can plan activity much better, keeping
the job on track. Equally because of the partner-
ship we have with SITECH, for certain jobs, we
may choose to hire in equipment for the dura-
tion. The benefit of this approach is that we can
still integrate these machines with our head of-
fice, by hiring equipment from SITECH and fit-
ting it to the hired machine.
“I definitely think we will now see much
more demand for information on earthworks
from main contractors, especially as more peo-
ple are challenged to meet carbon targets. ”
• [END]
Contractors World UK & Ireland
VBA to start work on
flood defence scheme at
Ipswich
As part of the Water and Environment Management
(WEM) Framework, the Environment Agency has ap-
pointed VBA, the joint venture between VolkerStevin,
Boskalis Westminster and Atkins, to work on a £21m
flood defence scheme.
Work to the tidal barrier scheme, which runs along
the River Orwell in Ipswich, is due to start later this
month and includes the design, construction and in-
stallation of a 30 m wide tidal barrier gate. It will com-
plete the defences which the Environment Agency has
been upgrading in recent years to greatly reduce the
risk of future flooding.
Mark Gardner, framework director for VBA, said:
“This project is a great opportunity for VBA to
showcase its capabilities in flood defences as
well as create a safer environment for those
who have been impacted by flooding.”
Ipswich has a long history of flooding both from
high fluvial flows and surge tide effects, with more
than 1,500 residential and 400 commercial properties
currently within the risk area.
The new flood gate will prevent surge tides and
allow control of fluvial flow.
The scheme involves the construction of piled flood
defence walls on either side of the barrier, a control
building, the installation of mechanical and electrical
equipment, flood gates on the east and west banks
within the flood walls, scour protection and landscap-
ing works.
Once successfully completed VBA will maintain the
new tidal barrier for a further two years.
• [cw]