Whiteknights Reservoir - Works in the Interest of Safety - AWARD

Reading Borough Council is seeking an experienced contractor to undertake safety works to the reservoir embankment crest and downstream slope along Whiteknights Road on the allotment side, to withstand the probable maximum flood (PMF).

The existing highway drainage which discharges into the existing ditch at the toe of the existing embankment is to be diverted through new pipework and connected to the reservoir culvert outlet further downstream in the Care Home grounds. The existing allotment embankment is to be stabilised using gabion baskets and then filled and re-graded to new levels before a masonry clad reinforced concrete wall is constructed along the crest. The wall, which also acts as a vehicle restraint system, will channel any probable flood water towards the existing auxiliary spillway through the Care Home grounds at the west end.

The Contractor will be required to undertake the following elements of work:

Allotment Embankment – Activities associated with excavation and filling of the existing ditch, construction of 46m length of gabion baskets along the toe from the Care Home boundary in an easterly direction and the subsequent filling / re-grading of the allotment embankment to a new slope profile, including cutting in benches.

Flood wall – Activities associated with the construction of a 73m long reinforced concrete flood wall, with masonry cladding, following the back of the footpath alignment, to help direct flood water towards the existing Care Home auxiliary spillway. Thi s wall also acts as a vehicle restraint at the top of the embankment.

Upgrade drainage system – Activities associated with the connection of existing highway gullies to a new positively drained system connecting to the reservoir culvert outlet.

Improvements to toe drain –Activities associated with infilling the existing drainage ditch and installation of a new toe drain to the full length of the embankment, to be connected to the improved highway drainage system

Footpath reinstatement –Activities associated with the reconstruction and widening of the existing footpath to 2m adjacent to the flood wall, tapered at either end.

The contract value is expected to be in the region of £350k - £450k