Completed Projects

BRIDGE HYDRAULIC DESIGN & FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT, RIVER AVON, WILTSHIRE
For: Wiltshire County Council - 2002
Cow Bridge near Malmesbury is a sub-standard cast iron bridge carrying the B4042.  The client's proposal is to replace the bridge with a more modern reinforced concrete design.  A detailed flood study was required to model the river and assess the hydraulic impacts of the old and new structures. The old bridge is a complex multi-arch structure on piers, requiring advanced analysis in HEC-RAS.  An excellent model calibration was achieved against historical flood data.

EXPERT WITNESS ON LOSS OF FLOODPLAIN STORAGE, BISSOE, CORNWALL - 2003
For: Furniture Direct, Hicks Mill.
The client was submitting an Appeal against an enforcement order for infilling of the floodplain, objected to by the Environment Agency.  The technical issues in this case were complex, and the consultant was appointed to advise the client as to the merits or otherwise in proceeding with the case.

EXPERT WITNESS ON FLOOD FREQUENCY DISPUTE, RIVER EWELME, DURSLEY - 2003
For: Parsons Brinckerhoff
The client was acting for a developer promoting a rehabilitated site on the ungauged River Ewelme at Dursley.  The client had undertaken a hydrological analysis disputed by the Environment Agency.  A more thorough investigation of adjacent catchment data and other objective methods found the client's estimates to be largely valid.

EXPERT WITNESS ON FLOOD DAMAGE CAUSES PLANT NURSERY, ELBURTON, PLYMOUTH
For: Prowting Homes (South West) - 2002
A major nursery and greenhouse complex suffered flood damage and consequential loss in October 2000.  A newly completed housing estate upstream was seen as the main cause.  Detailed investigations of meteorological records and catchment hydrology showed this not to the case.  Designs and recommendations were made for improved channel capacities.

EXPERT WITNESS ON FAILURE OF EMERSONS GREEN RESERVOIR, BRISTOL
For: Taylor Woodrow Construction - 2001
A recently completed flood attenuation reservoir within the 400 ha. new housing complex of Emersons Green was believed to have caused flooding to some 20 houses.  The consultant was employed to analyse all aspects of the flooding event, including hydraulic interactions with the receiving watercourse and the culverted river through the site.  The failure received widespread local media attention.  The principal cause of failure was shown to be inadequate sewer design, in conjunction with high river levels and debris accumulation at control structures.

TERM CONSULTANCY IN HYDROLOGY AND HYDRAULICS, 2001 - 2002
For: Environment Agency - North West Region - Ongoing
Appointed as the regional consultant advisor to the Flood Modelling Division of the Environment Agency North West Region, for a two year contract period, with an option to extend until May 2003.  Engaged to advise on flood risk management problems, modelling and engineering of flood schemes (using ISIS and HEC-RAS), and general hydrological analysis, including application of the FEH.

TERM CONSULTANCY IN HYDROLOGY AND HYDRAULICS, 2000 - 2003
For: Environment Agency - Thames Region - Ongoing
Appointed as a regional consultant advisor to the Flood Modelling Division of the Environment Agency Thames Region, for a two year contract period, with an option to extend until May 2003.  Engaged to advise on flood risk management problems, modelling and engineering of flood schemes (using ISIS and HEC-RAS), and general hydrological analysis, including application of the FEH.