Currie & Brown consults on Thames flood defence scheme

Construction consultant Currie & Brown has been appointed to a flood defence scheme near Walton-on-Thames. 

The Environment Agency (EA) and Surrey County Council selected the firm to provide programme management and integrated project controls on the River Thames Scheme (RTS). 

RTS will see more than eight kilometres of new flood channel created and increase the capacity of three existing weirs and downstream of the Desborough Cut.  

It is hoped this will reduce the flood risk to thousands of homes and businesses and key infrastructure in communities that have seen major floods in the recent past.  

The channel will be flanked by new areas of public space for recreation and biodiversity, and sustainable travel routes. 

RTS is also designed to “unlock the economic, health and environmental benefits” of the river between Egham and Teddington. 

C&B will provide integrated project controls services covering planning, risk management, cost and change management, and performance reporting.  

Director for infrastructure project management, Steven Hayter, will be interim project management office (PMO) lead, responsible for health and safety, project controls, quality assurance, resource management, contracts and commercial and information management. 

The appointment comes before public consultation and application for a development consent order.  

“It is a huge privilege to project manage such an ambitious scheme,” said Hayter. “Infrastructure’s role in connecting communities and driving economic growth is well known, but this project will go one step further and use investment to support healthier, happier lifestyles and drive environmental benefits.” 

Adding: “We look forward to applying our multidisciplinary expertise to ensure the project delivers on these aspirations and generates genuine value for our clients and local communities.” 

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