A giant underground water tank capable of holding up to a million litres has been installed on the Strand in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
Commercial property specialists Burton Knowles helped to secure the necessary permissions allowing Southern Water to complete the flood alleviation measures on a key memorial garden in the town.
Steven Drennan, from Bruton Knowles Guildford office, said the project had proved to be a challenge for contractors.
“The Royal George Memorial Ground is a well-known site in Ryde and commemorates the loss of HMS Royal George, which sank in 1782.
“There were rumours there could be human remains within the site – but this was not the case. Even so everybody involved had to proceed with the greatest possible care to install the storm tank to coincide with other street works being carried out in the area.
Southern Water was called upon to act after local residents had raised fears of flooding in the area.
Currently, the sewer carries both rainwater and household wastewater, posing a higher risk of water coming back up through the pipes and flooding nearby properties.
To address the issue. contractor Clancy Docwra is in the process of installing larger sewer pipes along with the underground storage tank 21 metres underground.
Mr Drennan added: “They needed to occupy most of site to sink the storm tank and we were called in to negotiate with the council for use of site, which will be sensitively restored to provide a public open space over the top of the buried tank once it is finished”.
Bruton Knowles has helped to broker a number of schemes tackling a range of environmental issues – ranging from flooding and traffic problems to protecting endangered species – as more and more councils seek to work in collaboration with utility providers to achieve the best results.
The Isle of Wight project began in November 2014 and is expected to be completed this summer.
Story: Chris Grigorovsky
Photo: Bruton Knowles
Previous Post
Muse boosts London Projects Team
