Dillinger heavy plate for UK’s flood protection

The town Boston has a long history of tidal flooding, most recently in December 2013 when more than 800 properties flooded across 55 streets. Flooding also occurred in 1953 and 1978. And as sea levels, due to climate change, will continue to rise in the future, it is necessary to erect flood defences to protect homes and businesses across the UK.

Thus, the “Boston Barrier” is a key part of the Boston Combined Strategy (BSC). The purpose of the BCS is to “determine a 100 year strategy approach to flood risk management and navigation improvements in Boston.” The strategy identified a multi-functional barrier that both reduces tidal flood risk and manages water levels, as the best solution for addressing flood risk management and waterway objectives in Boston.

The barrier gate installation marks an important milestone in the project and once fully commissioned, will better protect 14,000 homes from tidal flooding.

The hydraulic-powered gate is really huge: 29 m wide, 11 m high and weighing around 370 t (which is the equivalent of 93 elephants). It is supported by 5 m wide walls. When it is lowered, it will sit on the river bed to allow navigational craft to safely pass above it. When flooding is expected, it can be raised into position by two 12 m long hydraulic rams either side.

For this innovative flood protection system, Dillinger supplied approx. 470 t of heavy plate in grade S355J2+N in thicknesses ranging from 15 to 180 mm.