The Environment Agency is highlighting Clifton Ings Flood Alleviation scheme in York, which is being delivered by BAM, during this year’s Flood Action Week. Major step forward for £21m flood scheme to better protect communities in York. 

The £21m scheme, which BAM is delivering for the Environment Agency, covers the Clifton and Rawcliffe areas of York and will better protect 135 homes from flooding and reduce the risk of flood water spilling onto Shipton Road – an important transport route into the city – providing protection for local businesses.

BAM has been engaged on Environment Agency frameworks for over 9 years, constructing flood defences which protect communities from the devastation of flooding. BAM is the sole delivery partner for capital works in two regions - the north east and eastern – on the Environment Agency’s Collaborative Delivery Framework (CDF).

“BAM is proud to be the Environment Agency’s delivery partner at Clifton Ings, and on the wider York Flood Alleviation Scheme, which will strengthen flood protection in York, to better protect 2000 homes. 

“Delivering this kind of work within a popular green space and site of environmental significance, is only possible through partnership working, with the Environment Agency and our design partner Arup.”

Andy Judson

Framework Director, BAM

Brendan Sharkey, project manager at the Environment Agency, said:

“Clifton Ings is an important and much loved green space, used by many people in York, so we’ve designed this scheme very carefully to minimise impact on the environment, visitors and the local community.

“This is a vital scheme which will help reduce flood risk for homes in Clifton and Rawcliffe and make York more resilient to the impacts of climate change.”

Due to the popularity of the green space around Clifton and Rawcliffe, BAM and the Environment Agency have worked collaboratively to maintain visitor access to as many different parts of the Ings as possible. 

It has also been critical to minimise the environmental impact of the work across the site, particularly in Clifton Ings and Rawcliffe Meadow, where rare meadow grassland species and the critically endangered Tansy beetle are found. 

The project was awarded the top score - 45 out of 45 - from the Considerate Constructors Scheme, for its efforts to minimise the impacts for users and carefully protect this environmentally significant location. 

Once complete the scheme will form a vital part of the wider York Flood Alleviation Scheme, which will better protect over 2,000 properties in York and surrounding communities.