Just three years ago, record high river levels, brought on by Storm Babet, caused widespread flooding around Meadow Road and Exeter Place. With incidents like this becoming more likely, the need for stronger, modern flood defences is clear – both to protect existing properties and to unlock the area for regeneration.

Since contractors John Sisk and Son began preliminary works twelve months ago, the site has been transformed, underlining how extensive the project is. For much of the year, activity has been focused at ground level or below, with land clearance and extensive piling along the kilometre-long site.

In all, over 75% of piling works have been completed, with over 208,000 hours of work carried out. A portion of this was completed using the innovative Gyropress Method™ from Giken Ltd., which was brought to the UK along with specially trained staff for the very first time.

Now concrete walls have started snaking along the riverside, giving people a much clearer sense of what the finished scheme will look like.

Beyond the heavy engineering, this year-long partnership with Sisk has also delivered wider community benefits. Jobs and work experience opportunities have been created for local people, while schools have been able to take part in educational activities linked to the project.

As the work progresses, flood gates will be installed and the concrete will be clad in brick, creating a consistent look with the existing defences around the River Gardens. Tree planting will also continue across the city and a proposed new green space around Stuart Street will take shape once the remaining buildings have been removed.

Delivering a project of this scale has caused some short-term disruption for the people who live, work and run businesses nearby. However, the benefits will be felt for generations to come – providing better protection from flooding and helping to attract more residents, workers and investment into the area.

Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said:

Building a kilometre-long flood wall next to active businesses and people’s homes is no small task and it does mean some disruption during construction. We know this has had a real impact on nearby businesses and residents, and we are working closely with them to manage and reduce that impact as far as we can.

We understand how challenging this can be for those affected and are working with businesses throughout this period.

However, this is a once-in-a-generation investment that promises much-improved flood resilience and the potential for regeneration in the future. The benefits – from safeguarding homes and businesses to creating a more attractive, resilient riverside – will be felt long after the construction work has finished.

The fantastic progress we have seen in just twelve months is the result of hard work by Council colleagues and Sisk, who have not only delivered at pace but have devised innovative solutions to the challenges complex urban engineering presents.

Businesses in the area remain open and accessible. Various road closures and layout changes are in place around the area, including on Meadow Road and Exeter Place, but all areas can be reached by following the signed diversions.