New barrier may bring hope to flood victims (From Worcester News)

New barrier may bring hope to flood victims

8:10am Wednesday 15th July 2009 in Search By Richard Vernalls, @rvernallsWN #worcsnews

A NEW flood barrier which can deploy automatically when water levels rise has been shown off to flood victims, councillors and delegates.

The Self-Closing Flood Barrier, which was dreamed up by a Dutch inventor 12 years ago, was showcased to about 50 people at a Hampton Lovett-based firm yesterday.

The barrier, mooted as a possible replacement to temporary flood barriers such as those used in Bewdley and Upton-upon-Severn, was demonstrated at the headquarters of UK Flood Barriers.

Johan van den Noort, the dutch inventor, said that the system was being used by the United States to protect the National Archives in Washington DC, where it withstood simulated floodwater under test conditions for three days.

He said: “Costs are low because there is little maintenance needed afterwards, maybe once a year.

“And you don’t need humans to set it up each time it is needed.”

The barrier works by automatically rising when its overflow sensors, also dug into the ground, detect water levels are 10cm (3.9ins) below ground.

The barrier itself is designed to withstand huge sideways water pressure and will last at least 50 years once installed.

The cost of installation is about £5,000 per square metre, but Mr van den Noort said the cost benefit was good against conventional defences such as temporary barriers, which took time to erect, used more manpower, and required storage.

Derek Prodger, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for environment, was impressed.

“It’s something that we and the Environment Agency could look at, particularly as it needs little maintenance,” he said.

Mary Dhonau, National Flood Forum chief executive, said she was “interested” in seeing the barrier put into practice.

Audience members, including representatives of Wychavon District Council, Droitwich Spa Town Council and the Environment Agency, were also treated to a demonstration of a new 46,000-litre flood tank, part of a flood test and training centre which is the first of its kind in the UK.

The tank, containing half of the first floor of a house, shows in real time how flooding can breach walls, air bricks and sewage pipes, and will allow companies to show how their products can protect homes.

Rachael Sturley, a member of Kempsey Flood Action Group, which is campaigning for defences for the village, was hit by rising water levels in July 2007.

She said: “We were flooded through our air bricks and some of what I have seen today would have prevented that.

“As a flood victim, it’s been very interesting to see what’s on offer.”