News: Forge Island flood works continue

It used to be the sound of a drop hammer ringing out from Forge Island, now its the sound of new flood defences being hammered into place.

Work continues on the first phase of works to bring a cinema development to Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported that works had got underway at the end of 2019 and that the flood defence and enabling work on the Forge Island site includes retaining walls, terrace seating and high-quality public spaces. Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd had been selected to carry out works with a value of around £2.5m.

The contractors have been busy driving sheet metal pile into the ground to form the new flood defence walls. This will form part of the next phase of the flood alleviation works along the north and west boundaries of Forge Island. The flood defence wall will also form a backdrop to improved open spaces adjacent to the Canal.

The works are necessary to help deliver the full Forge Island scheme, which will include a cinema, food and drink outlets, a hotel, and a car park, with the new leisure facilities set within an attractive public space and a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the wider town centre.

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Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: "People may notice more activity and noises on the site as the plans to transform Forge Island continue to move forward. We know residents are keen to see the area develop and it’s great to see work progressing on a project which will bring a boost to the whole of the town centre."

Due to the flood alleviation works the footbridge over Rotherham Lock will be closed until further notice. Alternative routes to Forge Island Car Park are available via Bridge Street, Corporation Street (over the footbridge) or Market Street.

Urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, has exchanged contracts with Rotherham Council regarding the landmark mixed-use destination. A planning application is currently being prepared, with a view to being submitted in the coming months. Following consent and exchange of agreements with the main anchor occupiers, it is anticipated that construction will begin in late 2020.

Forge Island website

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News: Phase one works start on Forge Island

Work is underway on the key the flood defence works at Forge Island - the first phase of works to bring a cinema development to Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported last month that Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd had been selected to carry out works with a value of around £2.5m.

The flood defence and enabling work on the Forge Island site includes retaining walls, terrace seating and high-quality public spaces.

The enabling works are necessary to deliver the full Forge Island scheme, which will include a cinema, food and drink outlets, a hotel, and a car park, with the new leisure facilities set within an attractive public space and a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the wider town centre.

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Diane Bourne, managing director of Eric Wright Civil Engineering, said: "This is a significant project which will complete a further section of flood protection for the town centre and forms part of the enabling work for the leisure-led Forge Island development. As part of the works, we will also be creating a high quality landscape setting adjacent to the Canal and a pedestrian link on to the main Forge Island development. With the project now very much underway, we are scheduled to complete next spring."

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Rotherham Borough Council’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, added: "It's great to see works onsite at Forge Island, bringing us another step closer to the exciting cinema and leisure scheme that is planned. I'm delighted that Eric Wright Civil Engineering will be carrying out the flood defence and enabling works to help make these plans a reality."

Muse Developments was chosen as Rotherham Council's preferred partner for the scheme and a detailed agreement for lease has been signed.

The cinema development will be built on a podium to lift the area out of the flood plain with parking underneath.

Forge Island website

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News: Contractor confirmed for Forge Island flood works

A contractor has been appointed to implement the key the flood defence works at Forge Island in Rotherham town centre.

Muse Developments was chosen as Rotherham Council's preferred partner for the site with a proposal that includes a cinema, food and drink outlets and a hotel. The leisure facilities will be set within an attractive public space and will include a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the rest of the town centre.

But before work can begin, multimillion pound flood defence works need to be carried out.

Ten tender submissions were received and following tender clarification, due diligence and moderation exercises, Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd were deemed to have submitted the most economically advantageous tender response.

The contract is worth some £2.59m.

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Plans have already been approved for Rotherham Council's flood defence scheme which includes 3.75 metre high retaining walls and a new flood gate. A terraced amphitheatre and improved canal path are set to enhance the new waterside destination.

The cinema development will be built on a podium to lift the area out of the flood plain with parking underneath.

With a stepped amphitheatre beside Rotherham Lock, a wall will be added along the route of the old court buildings with extensive public realm improvements comprising hard and soft landscaping and resurfaced footways. Floodgates will also be added at Bridge Street and Main Street.

An update to the Council's cabinet states that some work has been delayed: "The phase 2 canal barrier works will now take place in 2020/21. The Canal and Rivers Trust will only permit works on the canal during the winter months and require twelve months' notice on final design and schedule of works.

"Work will now continue to progress the delivery of the scheme, including the preparation of detailed designs, to support a planning application to be submitted later in the year."

Rothbiz reported in July that Rotherham Council had signed a detailed agreement for lease with Muse.

Forge Island website

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