Client

James Walker & Co

Value

£1.9m

Timescale

8 months

Location

Cockermouth, Cumbria

The Project

After James Walker’s site in Cockermouth fell victim to over 1 metre of flooding in both 2009 and 2015, flood protection measures were required in order to protect the plant against future flooding, safeguarding jobs, protecting the site and paving the way for future growth.

In order to avoid the possibility of moving the factory to a new site, flood defence measures were designed to offer protection from a ‘one in 1000’ flood event, allowing James Walker & Co to protect the future of over 400 employees at the 13-acre site.

The project was funded by Cumbria LEP as part of a Growth Deal programme of investment to support Cumbria’s economy.

View Gallery
View Gallery

The main scope of works for the project included:

  • Extensive earthworks to reduce ground levels prior to works
  • Installation of 900 sheet piles to create a flood wall around the site’s production buildings, each driven 5m down to reach bedrock to prevent ground flow
  • Installation of 3no motorised hydraulic vehicle access floodgates
  • Installation of 2no pumping stations with the capacity to pump over 21,000 litres of water per minute
  • Construction of new internal roadway
  • Construction of two large flood plain loss compensating swales with a capacity of over 11,000m³
  • New stonewalling at site entrance, bordering a new 20-space overflow car park

Throughout the project, the Story team worked collaboratively with James Walker, ensuring the construction phasing maintained uninterrupted factory production. The project was repeat business having being recommended by designers Cluttons LLP, after the successful completion of McVities flood defence works in Carlisle.

As part of our commitment to ’doing it right’, we pride ourselves on assisting our clients with cost efficient design enhancement solutions, our quality control and aftercare service.

11068m³ factory area
protected by flood wall

360 litres per second
pumping station combined flow rate

Mark Brook – James Walker

Story were very professional in their approach, through from the bidding process to commencing work, to final completion. They have good project management skills and good attention to detail.

Mark Brook

James Walker & Co Ltd

Find out how we can help you

To find out more about how we can help you deliver your project contact Gareth Jones on on 01228 590 444.

Enter your email address to download our latest corporate brochure