ASEA Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project

Author: ASEA Team

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News

South West Association of Drainage Authorities visit Severnside

South-West-Association-of-Drainage-Authorities-visit-Severnside

South West Association of Drainage Authorities visit Severnside

On 8 May, members of the South West Association of Drainage Authorities (SWADA) were guided around the Severnside area of the project including Aust, Pilning and Severn Beach.

ADA is the membership organisation for drainage, water level and flood risk management authorities throughout the UK representing over 230 members nationally, including internal drainage boards, regional flood and coastal committees, local authorities, and national agencies, as well Associate Members who are contractors, consultants, and suppliers to the industry. The Lower Severn Internal Drainage Board hosted this South West ADA Branch Board meeting and took the opportunity to organise a tour of our new flood defences and wetlands.

Cllr Matthew Riddle, Vice-Chairman of SWADA, reflected after the tour:.

The ASEA project demonstrates the importance of strong partnership working to maximise opportunities to reduce flood risk and deliver multi-functional assets to enhance the landscape for communities around the ASEA"

For more information, head to the South West Association of Drainage Authorities website and the Lower Severn Internal Drainage Board website.

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Innovation

Safeguarding success: St. Modwen Logistics and the ASEA Ecology Mitigation Flood Defence Project

Safeguarding success: St. Modwen Logistics and the ASEA Ecology Mitigation Flood Defence Project

One of the major businesses operating within the industrial and logistical hub of the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) is St. Modwen Logistics, a powerhouse in sustainable warehousing solutions.

St. Modwen Logistics is one of the UK’s most active developers of speculative logistics buildings. With a thirty-year heritage of developing complex sites, they currently own and manage a portfolio of more than 17 million sq. ft across the country.

For two decades, the company has been providing infrastructure and employment opportunities to the Avonmouth area. The latest phase of St. Modwen Park Access 18 was completed in May 2023, and a further 215,000 sq. ft of state-of-the-art warehouse space is to start on site through 2024.

We spoke to St. Modwen Logistics to find out how the flood defence project is helping future-proof their warehouses and thousands of local jobs for years to come.

Why Avonmouth Severnside?

St. Modwen Logistics’ decision to establish roots in the ASEA was strategic. As Carys Allen, Senior Development Manager, explains, “The ASEA is Bristol’s premium industrial and logistics hub and plays a key role in the St. Modwen Logistics portfolio.”

The area’s connectivity, in part thanks to its proximity to the M5 and M49 motorways, makes it an ideal location for logistics businesses seeking efficient transportation links. Furthermore, the availability of land presents ample possibilities for development, a fact that St. Modwen Logistics has capitalised on by delivering over 1 million sq. ft of modern warehousing space in the area since they began working here.

A commitment to sustainability

Central to St. Modwen Logistics’ ethos is the development of sustainable infrastructure. Their warehouses aren’t just buildings, they’re best-in-class and expertly designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising efficiency for their clients.

From small businesses to large e-commerce giants, St. Modwen Logistics tailors solutions to accommodate a diverse array of clients, ensuring that each tenant finds the perfect space to support their operations. 

Our customers make modern life possible, and we provide the perfect space they need to service their own customers in a timely fashion."

Carys Allen
St. Modwen Park Access 18 Avonmouth

Looking to the future

St. Modwen Logistics employs approximately 175 individuals directly, yet their impact extends far beyond their immediate workforce. The Park employs thousands of people across the various businesses which occupy it, supporting a thriving local economy. As they increase the size of their portfolio nationally, their sites across the South West will play a key role in this, including at Avonmouth. However, amidst ambitions lies a crucial consideration: resilience. Enter the Avonmouth Severnside Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project.

For St. Modwen Logistics, the flood defence project is a critical component of their development strategy. By protecting their infrastructure against flooding, they offer clients peace of mind, assuring them that their logistics operations are secure even in the face of a warming climate. Moreover, it’s a boon for the region, attracting new businesses and fostering economic growth.

Explaining the benefits of the flood defence project, Carys says, “Our customers can locate their business at our Access 18 site safe in the knowledge that precautions have been taken to protect their operations from the risk of flooding, and this comes with obvious economic benefits to the region, as well as ensuring a supply of jobs for residents.” She continues, “Thanks to this work, we can offer businesses peace of mind, which is helpful when trying to attract new companies to the area and encourage further growth.”

St. Modwen Logistics’ journey in the ASEA demonstrates the critical relationship between coastal infrastructure and regional prosperity. As they continue to expand their footprint, they do so with a keen eye on sustainability and resilience, ensuring that their legacy endures for generations to come.

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Innovation

ASEA project shortlisted for Flood and Coast Excellence Award

ASEA project shortlisted for Flood and Coast Excellence Award

We are very excited to be shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Flood and Coast Excellence Awards 2024 as a finalist in the Climate Resilient Places category.

The award recognises major flood and coastal risk management projects that improve place-based resilience to flooding and coastal change in a changing climate.

The winners will be announced at the awards dinner at the Telford International Centre on 5 June 2024. Wish us luck!

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Innovation

Bristol City Council cabinet members visit ASEA Flood Defence Project

Bristol City Council cabinet members visit ASEA Flood Defence Project

On Friday 15 March, we welcomed Bristol City Council cabinet members on a tour of the Bristol City

Council section of the ASEA project. They had the chance to see the progress we’ve made on installing flood defences at Avonmouth Docks and Lamplighter’s Marsh, and creating a new coastal wetland area at Hallen Marsh.

We were delighted to show Councillor Marley Bennett, Cabinet Member for Waste, Climate and Ecology and Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport and Ward Member for Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston, how habitats for a diverse range of wildlife species are securing the long-term future of one of the country’s most important environments for wading birds.

Now that most of the works to introduce the new flood defences have been delivered, the focus is now on continuing efforts to develop the Hallen Marsh wetland environment and hand the site over to the Council to manage. Future works here will focus on maintaining wetland habitat to give the birds the roosting and foraging habitat they need, particularly when the high tide has covered the mud flats where they feed.

Ursula Stevenson, project lead, said: “We’re delighted that local leaders visited the new wetlands we have created, which enhance our natural environment and provide wildlife with space to thrive in the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area. It was fantastic that the councillors saw how many bird species are thriving at this new habitat, and they were excited to see how the wetlands develop over years to come.”
Councillor Marley Bennett said: “Through our ecological emergency work, we’re committed to enhancing our natural environment while also improving the environment for people to enjoy, so I’m delighted to see the new wetlands created at Hallen Marsh begin to flourish.”

 

Our ecological work across the ASEA project doesn’t stop there. Water voles were released into Hallen Marsh in 2023 to make the most of the ditches and vegetation that provide them with the perfect habitat to thrive. The project has also provided a replacement otter holt to allow otters to continue to use an established commuting route. Over one hundred bat boxes are being installed across the project area, along with two barn owl nest boxes. One of these barn owl boxes has already been used to successfully raise three chicks.

This project is an example of how a balance between managing the impacts of climate change, sustainable growth and making space for nature can benefit all.

It was fantastic that the councillors saw how many bird species are thriving at this new habitat"

Ursula Stevenson
Councillors visit the new wetlands at Hallen Marsh
Councillors visit the defences built at Lamplighter’s Marsh
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Innovation

Walking at the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge

Waling in Northick Warth

ASEA Team

We’re welcoming walkers and birdwatchers back to Northwick Warth between Cake Pill and New Passage over the winter whilst works in the area are reduced.

The waterbird refuge at this location provides a haven for a range of species of ducks, geese, swans, and wading birds such as dunlin and curlew. The Severn Estuary is particularly valuable because it attracts many wintering and passage water birds thanks to a large amount of easily available food, like worms and molluscs. These visiting birds also come here because they need regular access to a network of secure and undisturbed roosts and feeding places. 

That’s why we’re asking walkers at Northwick Warth to do their bit to minimise disturbance to birds when they visit, by only using our specially designed mid-level path along the King Charles III England Coast Path. The public are not permitted to use the higher-level maintenance track on the crest of the bank. 

Natural England has recently installed signs along this area of the ASEA project to remind walkers to use the mid-level path, which has been designed to give them views of the estuary and help hide them from birds which make the salt marsh their home. 

Walkers who use the maintenance path along the top of the route will cause more disturbance to these important bird species which are critical to supporting the continued biodiversity of the estuary. 

We hope that all visitors enjoy the fantastic array of wildlife in the area over the coming months. 

Please be aware that the path may be closed again this year to allow the construction of a v-ditch along the route when weather conditions allow it, and the section near Pilning Wetlands may also have to be closed when we complete works in this area.

Waling in Northick Warth
Map showing location of the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge
Map showing location of the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge
Signage for users of the path at the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge
Signage for users of the path at the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge
Birdwatchers using the specially designed mid-level path at Pilning
Birdwatchers using the specially designed mid-level path at Pilning
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News

Council Cabinet Members Visit ASEA Flood Defence Project

ASEA Team

Members of South Gloucestershire Council’s new cabinet visited the ASEA Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project in September to learn about the project and see its significant progress for themselves. Once complete, the project will deliver 17km of flood defences from Aust in South Gloucestershire to Shirehampton in Bristol.

The five councillors from the new Liberal Democrat-Labour coalition enjoyed a minibus tour of key project sites in South Gloucestershire between Severn Beach and Aust.

Council Leader Cllr Claire Young, Co-Leader Cllr Ian Boulton, Co-Members for Climate and Nature Emergency, Cllr Louise Harris and Cllr Alex Doyle, and Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration, and Infrastructure, Cllr Chris Willmore were led on the tour by Tony Bajjada from BMMJV, the joint venture between engineering contractors BAM Nuttall and Mott Macdonald, and the project’s client representative, Ursula Stevenson.

Councillors looking at the new hybrid glass flood defence panel at New Passage
The councillors at the start of their tour at Severn Beach

The councillors started their tour at the precast flood defence wall at Severn Beach. They then saw the new hybrid glass flood defence panel at New Passage, outfall structures at Cake Pill Outfall, raised embankments at Passage Road, and new wetlands created at Northwick. 

With an opportunity to ask questions about all aspects of the scheme, the councillors learned more about this key infrastructure project and its benefits for the West of England economy.

Council Leader, Cllr Claire Young, said: “This project is vital for protecting our coastal communities and unlocking economic growth for the region. As well as learning how flood risk in South Gloucestershire is being reduced, it was great to see the upgraded walking routes and new wetlands which are being created in the area. We were grateful to get the chance to see the scheme up close and look forward to its completion in the coming years.”

Ursula Stevenson said: “We’ve made great progress on the project in the past few years, so we really valued the chance to show the new South Gloucestershire Council cabinet members our work. The flood defences and ecological mitigations we’re  putting in place will benefit local businesses, residents, and wildlife for years to come, so it’s important that local decision-makers see first-hand what a difference we’re making. The day was a great success, and the project team would like to thank the councillors for joining the tour.”

Councillors viewing the outfall structures at Cake Pill
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News

Endangered eels continue their journey thanks to ASEA project

Glass eels – image courtesy of Environment Agency

Endangered eels continue their journey thanks to ASEA project

Eel migration is going swimmingly in local water outfalls thanks to steps taken by the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project team to support them.

Over the past few months, the team has been busy upgrading eel spring retarders at tidal gates at outfalls across the 17km project, including Cake Pill, Chestle Pill and New Pill tidal outfalls in South Gloucestershire. The retarders are a spring or tension device used to hold the tidal gate open and slow the closure of the gate on the incoming tide. This means that eels can pass through more easily over a longer period.

European eels once thrived in the UK, but the population has dropped dramatically since the 1980s, declining by 95 per cent. The species is now classified as critically endangered. One of the reasons for this is that eels’ migratory pathways are frequently blocked. Removing barriers and installing eel spring retarders and eel passes in places where migration has been disrupted helps to conserve this species. It is a legal requirement to maintain eel passes to a functional standard under the Eel Regulations 2009.

Tidal gates are an example of structures that prevent eels from moving into a watercourse. Eel spring retarders solve this problem by holding tidal gates open for longer at the point at which the water level on either side is equalised. Eels can then migrate upstream where the gate would otherwise be closed. Spring retarders are easy to install, require minimal maintenance, and are a low cost, flexible way to improve eel and fish passages at tidal gates.

The refurbished spring retarders are the latest in the project’s work to conserve endangered species. This spring, the project team released water voles onto a new home at one of the project’s new wetlands at Hallen Marsh near Bristol. Water voles are also amongst the most endangered species in the UK. The wetland, at Hallen, is part of over 80 hectares of new wetland habitats created by the project.
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News

ASEA project shortlisted for Ground Engineering Award

ASEA project shortlisted for Ground Engineering Award

We are very excited to be shortlisted for this year’s Ground Engineering Awards in the UK Project with a Geotechnical Value over £3M category.

This category is for a ground engineering scheme with a contract value of over £3M that stands out in terms of its credentials in innovation, sustainability, health and safety and value engineering.

The winners will be announced at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 12 July 2023. Wish us luck!

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News

Water voles settle into new home at one of UK’s newest wildlife wetlands

Water voles settle into new home at one of UK’s newest wildlife wetlands

Water voles are busily burrowing into a new home at one of the UK’s newest wetlands near Bristol after they were released onto the site. With its ditches and vegetation, the wetlands are the perfect habitat for these brown furry mammals which are amongst the most endangered species in the U.K. Watch our video of the water voles arriving at their new home above.

The wetland, at Hallen, is part of over 80 hectares of new wetland habitats created by the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project (ASEA). 

Nationally, coastal wetland habitat is one of the most valuable natural habitats, but it is under threat from rising sea levels because of climate change. The Severn Estuary is home to internationally important bird species and the new wetland habitat will help all manner of wildlife to thrive. The project is also planting hundreds of native trees to improve the environment for years to come. Water voles are environmental engineers, creating habitat for the burrows, and are a crucial part of ecosystems. 

Before the water voles’ move to their new home, the team checked that the area was free of American mink, (an invasive species) as the water vole population has been severely affected by this species in the U.K. The team also checked the ditches for existing water voles to avoid any competition between the newcomers and resident animals.  Once it was safe to move in, the voles were put in pens with plenty of straw and food so they could get used to their surroundings on the first day. On day two, the team put out a baffle on the front of the pen so the voles could go in and out. 

All the voles have successfully been released. The team is allowing the animals to settle in before carrying out follow-up surveys.

The ASEA project is a partnership between South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council and the Environment Agency.  A joint venture between BAM Nuttall and Mott Macdonald (BMMJV) was appointed to undertake the detailed design and construction of the Avonmouth flood defences and wetland area.

Councillor Kye Dudd, Bristol City Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Waste and Energy, said: “Over the last 40 years the water vole population has dropped by 90 per cent and they face possible extinction so we are very pleased to be able to provide a new home for these water voles. We’re committed to enhancing our natural environment and providing a huge boost to nature and wildlife projects such as this – working across the organisation as part of our Ecological Emergency Action Plan.”

Councillor Louise Harris, South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate and Nature Emergency, said: “We want to protect and boost nature through our climate and nature emergency work and, as part of this ecology mitigation and flood defence project, we are ensuring that a thriving environment will be established for people and wildlife. We’re optimistic that the water voles will colonise the new wetlands habitat and we’re proud to be helping this endangered species. With a network of ditches on site, the wetlands have real potential to become a stronghold for them.”

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Innovation

ASEA project shortlisted for Local Government Chronicle Award

ASEA project shortlisted for Local Government Chronicle Award

We are very excited to be shortlisted for this year’s Local Government Chronicle Awards in the Climate Response category.

This category is intended to mark excellence in any aspect of a council’s work in addressing the carbon footprint of the council, its services and its broader local area. As a landmark partnership between South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council and the Environment Agency, the project is a strong contender for this category, as it seeks to protect the local communities and wildlife from existing flood risk.

Project Lead South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council, Ursula Stevenson, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for this award, which is a wonderful reminder of the continued efforts of everyone at ASEA who are working to deliver new and improved flood defences. We are looking forward to the ceremony in the summer and wish the best of luck to everyone attending.”

Councillor Nicola Beech, Bristol City Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Strategic Planning, Resilience and Floods, said: “Being shortlisted for this award is a great accolade for Bristol and the hard work of the council and partners. Protecting residents and businesses from flooding, and preserving and enhancing our natural environment, is important as the risk of climate change is increasing. On behalf of the council, I’d like to wish the project team and partners the very best of luck at the award ceremony in June.”

LGC editor Sarah Calkin, said: “The LGC awards seeks to recognise and celebrate the absolute best in local government, and as this year’s shortlist shows there is no shortage of new ideas and fresh thinking across the whole host of council services. A massive congratulations to everyone on the shortlist, making it this far is a huge achievement in itself.”

A full list of the shortlists can be found here. The winners will be announced at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel, in London on 8 June 2023.