The River Thames Scheme Shortlisted for Blue and Green Infrastructure Award at Flood and Coast Excellence Awards 2024

The River Thames Scheme (RTS) was shortlisted for the prestigious Climate-Resilient Blue and Green Infrastructure Award at the Flood and Coast Excellence Awards 2024 on 19 July.

The RTS submitted its entry based on its innovative approach to managing flood risk while implementing transformational landscape and green infrastructure plans.

At its heart, the RTS will deliver a flood alleviation channel which can take the pressure off the River Thames at times of heavy rainfall. In conjunction with key capacity improvement work downstream, the scheme will reduce the impacts of flooding on its local community – benefiting around 11,000 homes & 1,600 businesses.

The project will also transform the local environment by creating high-quality green spaces for recreation, extra habitats for wildlife and additional active travel networks, leaving a lasting legacy to the communities it serves in the shape of an improved natural environment.

While the scheme did not take home the top prize, being one of only four shortlisted entrants is a testament to its scale, innovative approach and transformative vision of the future.

The eventual winner of the award was the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for Schools Scheme, an outstanding project that the RTS has had the pleasure of collaborating with over recent months. Our joint efforts have included engaging with students at Laleham Primary School, where the RTS team discussed the importance and benefits of sustainable drainage systems with students.

River Thames Scheme Project Director Eddie Rrokaj said: "It was great to be shortlisted for this award, and the nomination reflects both the huge amount of work the team has put into the scheme and its transformative vision for the local area. Many congratulations to the eventual winner, the SuDS for Schools Scheme, which is an outstanding project and one we look forward to forging closer links with in the future."

The awards event, which took place online, was originally scheduled to form part of the Flood and Coast Conference and Exhibition in June. They were postponed because of pre-General Election regulations.