CASE STUDY: Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 – Green-tech’s Sustainable Solutions in Action

Project Overview:

Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme

• Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
• Client: Leeds City Council
• Contractor: BMMjv (BAM Nuttall/Mott MacDonald Joint Venture)
• Landscape Architect: BMMjv (BAM Nuttall/Mott MacDonald Joint Venture)
• Products/Services Supplied: Coir Edge Sods, Coir log rolls, Rock rolls

Introduction:
Leeds City Council, in collaboration with the Environment Agency, is actively engaged in the Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 (FAS2) aimed at mitigating flooding risks along a 14km stretch from Leeds Train Station to Apperley Bridge. The project combines traditional engineering with natural flood management, with a goal to safeguard 1,048 homes and 474 businesses. Green-tech, a leading provider of landscape and construction solutions, played a crucial role in implementing sustainable and eco-friendly measures for the scheme.

Project Details:
BAM Nuttall, a key player in construction and civil engineering, incorporated digital engineering and a net-zero carbon approach into the project’s execution. A significant aspect involved the riverbank work upstream of Kirkstall Bridge, addressing flood risks in an area that has historically suffered from flooding. To protect the permanent river-side ecology, planning conditions mandated the reinstatement or protection of vegetated features.

Green-tech’s Contribution:
Green-tech’s expertise and commitment to sustainability made them the supplier of choice for this critical project. The product selection aligned with project specifications while providing innovative and environmentally conscious solutions. Sub-agent Jim Mitchell affirmed Green-tech’s suitability, stating, “They were able to supply products that complied with the project specification and offered expert advice on alternative solutions that improved buildability and function.”

Key Products Supplied:

1. Coir Edge Sods (45 units): These pre-established sods, featuring five aquatic plant species mixes, integrate vegetation with stone-filled gabions, offering an effective erosion control solution for water’s edges. This green erosion control system combines engineering stability with immediate vegetation, fostering rapid environmental and ecological regeneration.
2. Coir Log Rolls (20 units): Cost-effective and ideal for establishing marginal vegetation around water bodies, these rolls consist of compressed coir fiber encased in woven polyethylene or coir netting. They support the growth of UK native species, contributing to the ecological balance.
3. Rock Rolls (20 units): Designed for long-term erosion control, these UV-stabilized polypropylene mesh rolls filled with gabion stones find application in stabilizing watercourse shorelines, high-flow riverbanks, and streams. When installed below coir units, they provide a solid foundation for pre-vegetated coir products, ensuring sustainable bank support.

Outcome:
Green-tech’s solutions not only met project requirements but also added ecological value to the Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2. The combination of engineering excellence and ecological sensitivity positions Leeds City Council’s initiative as a model for sustainable flood management.

Conclusion:
The successful collaboration between Leeds City Council, BAM Nuttall, and Green-tech exemplifies how sustainable solutions can be seamlessly integrated into large-scale infrastructure projects, contributing to environmental preservation and community resilience.

For more information, contact Green-tech at www.green-tech.co.uk.