Mar. 3, 2011 -- Mott MacDonald's role as design engineer on a project to help manage and protect the coast of Felixstowe from coastal erosion for Suffolk Coastal District Council is well underway.
The leading global management, engineering and development consultancy is designing 18 straight rock groynes (hydraulic structures that interrupt water flow and limit the movement of sediment) with associated shingle and sand recharge which replenishes the beach, making it higher and wider. Mott MacDonald is also designing a rock revetment and access way that will extend the existing promenade 300m towards north Felixstowe. The overall scheme will offer protection to nearly 1500 homes and local businesses, recreational gardens and key facilities in central Felixstowe for the foreseeable future.
Mott MacDonald is currently finalising detailed designs of the scheme which will be constructed in two phases, helping to secure planning permission and supporting FEPA licence and Coastal Protection Act applications. In addition, the consultancy is preparing long term management plans for the beach as well as assisting with technical support for the procurement of the contractor for the construction phase of the project.
Project director Peter Phipps said, "Mott MacDonald, with Suffolk Coastal District Council, were keen to understand the wider impact of this scheme and throughout the consultation process considered the carbon footprint of each of the proposed options to aid selection of the preferred option. We were also innovative in obtaining funding from the Environment Agency for the project through highlighting the importance of tourism in Felixstowe to the local and national economy. The scheme also embraces increased public interaction with the coastline in line with the aspirations of the Marine and Coastal Access Act of 2009."
Mott MacDonald's association with the scheme passed through inception in January 2009, successful approval for funding by the Environment Agency in 2010 and is due for completion at the end of the construction Phase 2 in summer 2012.
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