Endangered eels protected by latest infrastructure upgrade

In order to fulfil its long-term flood-risk management responsibilities while protecting and enhancing local biodiversity, the Lower Severn Internal Drainage Board’s (LSIDB) programme of improvements to its ageing infrastructure installations continues.  The land drainage pumping stations at Saul and Elmore Back have been upgraded so that they no longer form a barrier to eel migration.  Modifications to the sites, which are adjacent to the River Severn, include fish-friendly pumps and eel passes.

Motion was engaged by the Board to manage the design and contract procurement of works to enable pumps, pipework and outfalls to be replaced at the pumping stations.  Work finished at Elmore Back in the summer after installation of the final pieces of equipment.  The upgrade included new pumps, an automated screen rake and conveyor, eel pass and control system.

According to James Thomas, Civil Engineer at the LSIDB, “We delivered an effective piece of infrastructure which protects an endangered species and achieves compliance with the Eels (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.  Our investment programme continues to make the system more resilient and enhances the Board’s ability to protect farms, businesses and communities in the region.”

Motion Associate Director, Julian Smith, comments, “Overcoming the challenges of this programme of improvements has demonstrated Motion’s strengths in the areas of land drainage, design engineering and the management of capital infrastructure projects.”

This article first appeared in the Sustainability Special Issue of Insight