- Installation of flood defences – including reinforced concrete retaining walls and soil flood bunds – in 10nr different locations across the town
- Construction of 5nr pre-barrages across the river
- Provision of 2nr flood gates
- Material Management Plan to allow material to be re-used on-site
- Ecological enrichment to the local environment
Project Outline:
The Ammanford Flood Risk Management Scheme (FRMS) was a £4.31M project that provided new flood defences along the River Loughor, protecting over 300 residential properties, more than 25 local businesses and the local college - Coleg Sir Gar.
Walters commenced the project in February 2023, working as Principal Contractor for client Natural Resources Wales (NRW). There were multiple constraints within each of the 10nr different locations throughout the town of Ammanford - including live utilities, residential properties, local businesses and other stakeholders - all of which required continuous stakeholder liaison and engagement by the Walters team throughout the course of the project. The works were completed within 15 months.
Project Delivery:
Walters constructed hard and soft flood defences including reinforced concrete retaining walls and soil flood bunds.
We also undertook works within the River Loughor to install pre-barrages across the river to aid fish migration. These works required technical planning discussions with NRW to agree the working method, allowing us to excavate within the river whilst minimising disturbance to wildlife and fish movement.
Walters also designed and constructed a pedestrian flood gate, a vehicle flood gate and a capping system for the reinforced concrete retaining walls.
The project required preliminary specialist tree clearance of 24nr 120ft tall Austrian Pine trees, as well as a site wide ecological review and management plan to manage otters and invasive species.
Added Value & Client Partnerships:
A Materials Management Plan (MMP) was produced for the project to manage excavated material and reduce the volume of material being taken from site to landfill. The MMP facilitated the recovery of suitable material from all working areas across the town, allowing it to be reused to form the core of the new flood bund.
Trees which had to be removed were replaced at a ratio of 3:1, and timber from felled trees was used to construct benches along the walkways.
The project also supported the local ecosystem by improving the fish passage through an existing weir, installing otter ledges beneath existing road bridges and by introducing various habitat boxes for hedgehogs, bats and birds.
