THE Environment Agency has let a £1.1m contract to Volker Stevin – formerly called Harbour and General – for the construction of a new flood defence at Lydney Harbour and the installation of new lock gates and harbour gates.
This will complete the £7m Lydney flood defence scheme started in 2000 to radically improve protection from tidal flooding to Lydney.
The work at the harbour comprises a new set of tidal flood gates, together with two sets of lock gates and new outer harbour gates. These have been carefully designed to be both modern in design with electrical power operation and fail-safe devices, and appearance in keeping with the historical nature of the harbour.
The mechanisation of the gates, together with the new navigation gates, will open up the inner harbour to boating, revitalising the whole harbour area. The flood defence works are being funded by a grant from DEFRA.
As work will involve heavy engineering, public access will be restricted for safety reasons. There will be no access for vehicles, but alternative access to the end of the harbour will be provided for pedestrians.
The contract forms part of the first phase of the £4.9m, three year Lydney Harbour Regeneration Project to revitalise the important Scheduled Ancient Monument.
It will include repairs to the existing structures, a new marina, harbour master's house and visitor centre. The project aims to fully realise Lydney Harbour's considerable recreational potential.
The first phase of the regeneration project to be completed this year is being funded by the Environment Agency, Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Lydney Town Council. This first phase will also involve a separate contract for dredging and stonework repairs, which is currently in development.