Stephenson Street flood scheme

The Stephenson Street Flood Risk Management project was awarded the 2025 Bill Ward Award presented by the ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) Wales Cymru.

The award recognises innovative engineering projects that incorporate principles of sustainability into their design and execution.

Earlier this year, many parts of the project were completed, including:

• Sheet pile wall
• Reinforced Concrete wall
• Earth embankments
• Culverts
• Floodgate
• New Highway
• Welsh Coastal Path

These are just some of the civil engineering elements making up the Stephenson Street Flood Risk Management project.

The drone survey from April of this year shows the civils works drawing to conclusion - Alun Griffiths - Drone on Vimeo

Environmental Enhancements

As we enter Autumn 2025, we can start to assess the success of our planting from previous years,  such as seeding, herbaceous stock and trees.

The first survey was completed in September to allow the team to assess what has been successful and any changes or replacement that may be required to further enhance the green infrastructure.

It also allows for the habitat enhancements to be assessed and if necessary further enhancement to be made.

Photos from the on-site timelapse camera in Coronation Park show the ever improving enhancements

October 2024

March 2025

June 2025

September 2025

We will continue to monitor the environmental enhancement each spring and autumn for the next five years to identify what has worked well and what needs further refinement. 

We’re pleased to share that work on the Stephenson Street Flood Risk Management scheme is nearing completion.

Here’s a quick look at the work that’s been happening over the last six months:

• The new highway off East Bank Road has been completed along with a raised section of the embankment and is open to traffic. The new highway will form the access route for motorists when the flood gates are in operation and will allow business in the area to continue to operate as close to tidal events as possible.
• The re-enforced concrete wall around the Felnex Industrial Estate is nearing completion which forms a further 35% of the overall flood protection. 
• The dogs home compound has been reinstated and is  back in use by the NCC  team.
• The eastern section of the Wales Coast Path is taking shape and is awaiting surfacing and the work to enlarge the earth embankment is taking shape and beginning to ‘green over’

Take a look at this aerial footage which shows the work on the scheme in more detail:

Alun Griffiths Shoot 29 Drone Assembly on Vimeo

One year on since construction work began, we’re pleased to be able to say that the project is making good progress.

Here’s a quick look at what work has been completed so far:

• Work to install 700 linear meters of sheet piles has been completed, helping to strengthen the embankment along the river Usk.
• The majority of the reinforced concrete wall around the Felnex industrial estate has been completed which forms a further 35% of the overall flood protection.
• Preparation work for the raised section of the highway off Eastbank Road has almost been completed, which will provide an alternative route for road users in the area.

Find out more information in our press release

This aerial drone footage show the progress that has been made on the new flood scheme so far: 

https://vimeo.com/939341333/ee2391b825

The above picture shows the high tide along the River Usk at Newport on the 12 February,  next to the 700 linear meters of sheet piles that have recently been completed, helping to strengthen the embankment along the river Usk.

July 2023 – six months in : a look at progress to date

Over the last six months our contractor, Alun Griffiths, has been working hard on the construction of the flood scheme at Lliswerry. Here’s a summary of the work that has been completed so far:

Vegetation clearance

Vegetation clearance along the length of the flood scheme from the northern extent in Coronation Park to Liberty Steel in the south has now been completed. This clearance work has allowed our contractors to commence the sheet piling section of the flood defence.

Sheet piling work

Sheet piling work along the River Usk began in April and is scheduled to be finished by late August 2023.

Sheet piling is a type of deep foundation used in construction work. The sheet piles used are recycled and renewably produced steel sections that are driven to a set depth into the ground. They have interlocking edges and fit together to form a structurally sound wall or barrier. They do not result in damage to the surrounding ground, unlike bored or contiguous concrete piling.

The sheet piles have been inserted using a hydraulic Giken press which has helped to significantly reduce the vibrations and noise disruption to local wildlife and industry.

Creating a new route for local businesses around the Felnex Industrial Estate

Preparation work for the raised section of the highway off Eastbank Road is underway. The new highway is due to be completed in Summer 2024. This will provide an alternative route for road users in the area, should the floodgate on Corporation Road be operated for maintenance purposes or prior to anticipated peak tidal flows. 

Improvements to the Wales Coast Path

Work has begun on the Wales Coast Path to improve the public footpath; this will enhance the route visually and offer greater accessibility.  

This aerial drone footage show the progress that has been made on the new flood scheme so far: 

https://vimeo.com/849458461/cab0d2f7fa

June 2023  -local MP’s visit Stephenson Street flood defence

13 February – Construction work officially begins

Today, (Monday 13 February) work officially begins on the Stephenson Street flood scheme!

Work to clear the vegetation along the length of the scheme from Coronation Park to Liberty will be carried out over the next few weeks.

Enabling works for the raised section of highway is due to commence in March with highway cutting and sheet piling works programmed to start in April.

January 2023 – construction work set to begin

We’re pleased to announce that construction work on the flood risk management scheme is now set to get underway in February this year, with Alun Griffiths successfully appointed as the main contractor.

Find out more information in our press release

The existing flood bund is a public footpath and also forms path of the iconic Wales Coast Path. NRW is responsible for managing and promoting the Wales Coast Path and understands the value it brings.

The scheme required a very minor realignment of the Wales Coast Path in some areas to allow for the raising of the existing bund and the installation of a new sheet pile flood wall.

We've upgraded the affected section of the Wales Coast Path, as well as improvements to the green space at Coronation Park.

A new path has been built within Coronation Park to provide better connection between the riverside and the sports pitches, creating a circular walking route. Viewing platforms will be integrated into the embankment to allow for resting areas and provide a connection with the riverside habitats.

Trees and wildflowers have been planted within the park to increase local biodiversity, in addition to three urban forests providing around 1,600 new, young trees.

Additional bins have been installed to reduce litter and dog waste and new interpretation boards providing information on the project, biodiversity and heritage of the area.

The River Usk at this location is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and extends from the river to the crest of the embankment. Parts of the embankment are also Sites of Importance to Nature Conservation (SINC) for their habitats.

Shad, a species of fish, are a feature of the SAC and are sensitive to vibration.

Historical records also show a number of protected species in the area – including Schedule one birds, otters, bats and barn owls. Surveys have also identified potential habitats for water vole, dormouse, badger and great-crested newt.

Extensive species-specific surveys within a study area have confirmed that these are not likely to be found or breeding within the affected works area. Trees near the scheme were further investigated for bat roosting potential in May 2021 and work adjacent to one tree shall be undertaken under an agreed Precautionary Method of working to reduce the potential for disturbance.

Construction of the scheme was planned to minimise the impact on any sensitive species and habitats to ensure there is no permanent loss to protected habitats. Techniques such as ‘silent’ hydraulic machinery will be used during construction in sensitive areas to minimise noise and vibrations. The location of the defences are far enough away from the river (>40m) to avoid the potential for any vibration effects on fish during their migration season.

Despite sensitive design, about 650 trees and shrubs needed to be  removed during construction. To mitigate for this, we've replanted approximately 1,600 new, young trees creating three ‘urban forests’ primarily at Coronation Park.

The scheme's increases the level of protection to a one in 200-year flood event standard (this refers to a significant event which has a 0.5% chance of occurring in one year or a 63.3% chance of occuring in 200 years). This is in line with the Severn Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy.

The proposals were developed with climate change in mind, accounting for sea level rise and the predicted increased in rainfall over the next 50 years. Over 1,100 homes and 1,000 businesses now benefit from reduced flood risk as a result of the scheme, taking into account future climate change predictions.