VolkerStevin has been awarded a £13.6m contract for the Leigh Expansion and Hildenborough Embankment Scheme (LEHES).

The new scheme is led by the Environment Agency, in partnership with Kent County Council, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Currently, the Leigh FSA protects 1,200 properties in Hildenborough and Tonbridge against flooding, but an increased capacity and new Hildenborough embankment would reduce risk to a further 230 homes.

The defence scheme will involve a range of measures to increase the storage capacity of the Leigh Flood Storage Area (FSA) on the River Medway, extend its lifespan and improve its reliability.

Works will include mechanical and electrical refurbishment of three flood gates on the River Medway, at Leigh in Kent; construction of a new embankment in Hildenborough, including a pumping station, kiosk and flood defence wall; raising some stretches of existing flood embankments, etc.

Mark Cronshaw, framework director for VolkerStevin said: “We are delighted to get started on this vital flood defence scheme, and be working collaboratively with the Environment Agency, in partnership with Kent County Council, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. The increased storage capacity and improved flood defences will mean more properties and the community will be better protected in the future.”

This is the combined second and third phases of works at Leigh, following on from the Reservoirs Act works that VolkerStevin is currently working on.

The scheme is due for completion at the end of 2025.