Balfour Beatty Secures £47M Contract to Deliver Major Flood Defence Scheme
Balfour Beatty, one of the UK’s leading infrastructure and construction companies, has announced that it has been awarded a major contract by the Waveney, Lower Yare & Lothingland Internal Drainage Board (IDB) to deliver new flood and coastal defences near Benacre, just south of Kessingland in Suffolk.
The scheme, valued at £47 million, has been procured through the SCAPE framework, a national initiative that allows public sector organisations to accelerate procurement and access trusted contractors with proven capabilities. Once completed, the project will significantly strengthen flood resilience across the Suffolk coastline, helping to protect critical infrastructure, local communities, businesses, and environmentally valuable land.
According to project specifications, the defences will safeguard:
- The A12 road, a key transport route linking communities across East Anglia.
- Parkdean Holiday Park, an important leisure and tourism asset that supports the local economy.
- 35 residential homes in vulnerable areas.
- 46 local businesses, many of which depend on the coast and surrounding farmland.
- Around 600 hectares of farmland, which represent not only local livelihoods but also a vital source of regional food production.
This ambitious project builds upon Balfour Beatty’s established track record in delivering complex coastal and flood resilience schemes across the UK.
Replacing the Ageing Benacre Pumping Station
At the heart of the project is the replacement of the Benacre Pumping Station, a critical piece of infrastructure originally built in 1955. Having served for decades, the station has now reached the end of its functional lifespan and is at growing risk of coastal erosion. Without replacement, the structure could fail, leaving local communities and businesses exposed to severe tidal and fluvial flooding events.
Balfour Beatty will not only replace this ageing asset but also modernise the flood management system to meet 21st-century resilience needs. This includes:
- Constructing a new embankment across the Lothingland Valley, specifically designed to manage tidal flooding and prevent saltwater intrusion inland.
- Building an additional, smaller pumping station along the new embankment to manage fluvial (river-based) flooding, ensuring a dual layer of protection for communities and agricultural land.
By addressing both tidal and fluvial risks, the scheme will provide a comprehensive defence system that strengthens resilience against the increasing threats posed by climate change, sea-level rise, and more frequent extreme weather events.
Creating Intertidal Habitats for Wildlife
In addition to human and economic protection, the project has been carefully designed with environmental sustainability in mind. Balfour Beatty will establish a new intertidal channel between the embankment and the coastline. This feature will generate an extensive 82 hectares of intertidal habitat, a significant ecological gain.
The habitat will provide safe breeding and feeding grounds for a wide variety of species, including:
- Migratory farmland birds
- Waterfowl
- Seabirds
This ecological initiative aligns with the UK’s wider commitments to nature recovery, biodiversity net gain, and sustainable coastal management. By embedding habitat creation into the flood defence project, the scheme demonstrates how infrastructure can be designed to support both people and wildlife.
Using Modern Construction to Reduce Carbon
One of the defining features of this project is Balfour Beatty’s use of modular construction techniques. Instead of building the pumping station entirely on-site, the structures will be manufactured offsite in a controlled factory environment.
This approach brings several advantages:
- Continuity of service: The existing Benacre Pumping Station can continue operating during construction, ensuring communities remain protected until the new facility is ready.
- Reduced disruption: Fewer lorry movements and material deliveries will be required, minimising traffic impact on local roads and reducing noise for nearby residents.
- Lower carbon footprint: By transporting complete modules instead of raw materials, the project will achieve significant carbon savings, supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions.
- Quality assurance: Factory-built components are produced under stringent quality control, ensuring long-term performance and reliability once installed.
This modular approach is part of Balfour Beatty’s innovation-driven construction strategy, which combines cutting-edge engineering with environmental responsibility.
Supporting Local Employment and Ex-Armed Forces Talent
Balfour Beatty has also committed to leaving a lasting social legacy through the scheme. As part of its Military Talent Pathway, launched in 2022, the company will hire two local ex-armed forces employees to support the delivery of the project.
The pathway provides structured career support for former military personnel, helping them transfer their skills into civilian construction roles. These individuals often bring leadership, resilience, and teamwork skills, which are highly valuable in large-scale infrastructure projects.
This initiative reflects Balfour Beatty’s broader commitment to social value creation, ensuring that investment in infrastructure also benefits local communities and individuals seeking new career opportunities.
Leadership Perspectives
Peter Mumford, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Regional Civils business, emphasised the importance of the project for both communities and the environment.
“We are proud to be delivering this vital flood defence scheme which once complete will safeguard critical infrastructure, local communities, and the environment. Drawing on our extensive experience and expertise, we will deliver this scheme to the highest standard, providing long-term protection for the Suffolk coastline and the people who depend on it.”
His comments highlight the dual mission of the scheme: protecting people and property while simultaneously enhancing the natural environment.
Timeline and Delivery
Enabling works began in Spring 2025, including site preparation, surveys, and the early stages of modular component production. The main construction phase is expected to commence later in 2025.
Given the scale and complexity of the project, completion is scheduled for 2030, reflecting the long-term planning, engineering, and ecological considerations involved. Once finished, Suffolk will benefit from one of the most advanced flood defence systems in the region.
The Bigger Picture: Climate Resilience and Infrastructure Investment
The Benacre flood defence scheme is part of a wider national and global trend: increasing investment in climate adaptation infrastructure. With sea levels projected to rise and storm surges becoming more frequent, the UK faces mounting risks of coastal flooding.
According to the Environment Agency, over 5 million people in England alone live or work in properties at risk of flooding. Protecting vulnerable communities and critical assets requires not only replacing ageing infrastructure but also innovating with sustainable, multi-functional solutions—precisely what the Benacre scheme represents.
Projects like this are also integral to the UK’s broader strategy of balancing economic development, food security, and environmental protection. By protecting farmland, businesses, and transport networks, the scheme ensures that local economies remain resilient in the face of climate challenges.
