Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme: Construction Industry Analysis Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, a major infrastructure project in the UK. It begins by exploring various sectors within the construction industry, including building, infrastructure, and industrial sectors, and then focuses on the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, detailing its background, phases (FAS1 and FAS2), and activities. The report outlines the project lifecycle, from initiation to closing, and identifies the key professional bodies involved, such as Leeds City Council, the Environment Agency, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, explaining their roles and responsibilities. Finally, the report discusses the benefits of the construction industry to the UK economy, the local communities, and the social impact of such projects. The project aims to reduce flood risks, protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

Introduction to the Built
Environment

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Various Sectors of the Construction Industry..............................................................................3
Background of the Project...........................................................................................................4
Activities of the Project...............................................................................................................5
Project lifecycle...........................................................................................................................5
Identifying the main professional bodies involved in Leeds flood alleviation scheme...............6
Benefits of the construction industry to economy of UK and local communities.......................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
The economy and society of UK in underpinned by the construction industry. This is
because the construction industry has significant potential for arranging and providing for the
large scale well – paid jobs requiring high skills. This industry has reached every nook and
corner of the country and has touched lives of every individual that live in this country.
Investment in future is what shapes our economy for a better future which includes building of
the homes in which people live, the hospitals and schools on the public relies and the energy
infrastructure, factories, transport and the offices that are responsible for keeping the economy
running. The major infrastructure projects in UK includes Crossrail and the third runway at
Heathrow. Thus, it can be said that UK happens to be at the front of the industrial revolution with
widespread opportunities and the partnerships between the industry and the government thus,
aiming at transformation of the productivity of sector by utilizing the technologies that is
innovative and the workforce that is highly skilled.
Thus, this report will be investigating the sectors in the construction industry. Then a
project will be selected whose commencement and end will be explained along with the main
phases of the project and the project lifecycle that it will entail (Scott-Bottoms, 2019).
Thereafter, roles and responsibilities of the crucial professional bodies will be defined including
their contribution towards the completion of such a project. Then, the social benefits will be
discussed that such project will bring in the society and the local community along with the
benefits that this project will bring to the economy of the UK financially i.e., the significance of
construction industry in the UK’s economy and the respective local communities will be
explained.
MAIN BODY
Various Sectors of the Construction Industry
Construction Industry involves industry engaged in constructing of infrastructures and
then delivering such buildings, infrastructure and industrial facilities along with the related
activities at the end of the lifecycle of the constructed structure (Awwad, Shibani and Ghostin,
2020). Therefore, the construction industry includes three sectors which can be discussed as
follows:
 Building – Construction of building can be divided into residential buildings and non –
residential buildings. This includes addition of structures to the empty land which can also be

referred to as the real property sites. It is to be noted that all the construction projects in the
building sectors involves some common elements i.e., designing, financials and financing,
estimations and legal aspects. This type of construction entails private or public procurement
and uses delivery methodologies like estimation of costs, hard bid, negotiated prices
management contracting, design & build, etc.
 Infrastructure – Such a sector of construction industry includes heavy duty projects like
massive public works, dams, highways, bridges, railways, distribution of utility and water.
This sector can also be referred to as heavy civil or heavy engineering.
 Industrial – Industrial sector of construction industry mainly involves offshore constructions
i.e., installations related to the energy transmission and distribution, quarrying and mining,
processing of chemicals, refineries, generation, storage and distribution of power,
manufacturing plants and mills (Ninan, Sergeeva and Winch, 2022). It is a relatively small
portion of the whole industry of construction but owners are the people who are the
corporations operating at large scale for earning profits. Utmost professionalism and
expertise is required in these projects for the planning, estimation of costs, designing of the
structure and construction of the structure.
Thus, keeping in mind the various sectors of the construction industry in the UK and the
activities which they entail, Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme has been selected being one of the
top 5 engineering projects in the UK.
Background of the Project
Out of all the sectors i.e., building, infrastructure and industrial, infrastructure sector is
the one having the largest and most complicated construction work therefore, Leeds Flood
Alleviation Scheme in the area of Leeds will be evaluated and understood.
In October 2017, two movable weirs were installed at Crown Point which is near the
Leeds city centre and Knostrop. Being the very first in the UK, they were installed with the aim
of reduction of floods by reducing its heights (Bokhove and et.al., 2020). This reduction of
height which is the first phase of this scheme can be done by deflation of a bladder. The weir at
Knostrop was also operated during the floods of England in 2019. This scheme has led to
reduction in the risk of flooding for 3,000 homes, 500 businesses and 300 acres of land in south –
east of the Leeds Train Station.

The phase two involves slowing of the flow and thus helping in protection of additional
1,048 home and 474 businesses. This project under phase two provided the level of protection
which is a one in 100 kind of thing. It took place on a stretch of upstream of Leeds station which
is 8 km long started in the late 2019.
Activities of the Project
This project of Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme which is a part of the £20 million
programme which is scattered city wide is a scheme of the largest flood defence in the UK. It has
two phases – Phase 1 also called as FAS1 was completed successfully and effectively in October
2017 while Phase 2 also called as FAS2 obtained approval for the funding in December 2019 and
the construction work began in January 2020 which ended in March 2021 (Bokhove and et.al.,
2019). The organisations which funded this project included Environment Agency of Leeds City
Council and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
FAS1
This phase includes installation of the state of the art and one of its kind moveable weirs
at Crown Point and Knostrop. This project in phase 1 which is one of the largest schemes for
flood alleviation in the nation safeguarded almost 500 businesses and provided over 23,000 jobs
(Fletcher, 2021). Along with the moveable weirs funding from Leeds City Region Growth Deal
led to merging of the river, canal with the heightened walls and embankments which stretched
over the distance of 4.5 km. it shall be noted that it is the first time moveable weirs have been
utilized for the purpose of flood alleviation.
FAS2
It is divided into steps. First step includes Leeds station upstream of 8kms and focussing
on Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, Kirkstall Meadows and Kirkstall Abbey.
Project lifecycle
The lifecycle of any construction project involves the following steps:
 Initiation – It involves evaluation of the work and conducting a feasibility test to align the
project with the main objectives (5 Important Phases of the Construction Life Cycle, 2022).
The feasibility tests are done with the aim to check whether the project that is being
undertaken justifies the main objectives that are to be achieved. Consultation with the team
and receiving final recommendations from them. Then Project Initiation document is created

which is a blueprint. The whole project is defined and its solutions to the needs specified are
written down.
 Planning – It is of utmost importance for managing the multiple or even single locations
successfully. The identification of work is done by the team and development of a road map
also occurs through identification of resources. The goals are set that this stage and it is
ensured that such goals are smart and clear. A plan with the proper time line and the
dependent resources get outlined.
 Implementation & execution – It is one of the most time consuming stage where the plan
has to be put into execution. It will require very effective communication and following of
budget already set. For ensuring that the set plan is implemented and executed properly in is
confirmed that the team is well – developed. All the resources are effectively allocated; tasks
are assigned to every member. Status of the project is checked through meetings at regular
intervals. Modifications in the plan are made whenever in need.
 Performance and monitoring – It is carried on along with the process of execution and
ensures that every step and process is in alignment with the schedule of the project already
made (Cumiskey and et.al., 2019). It involves tools like quality deliverables, project
performance, etc. Costs and efforts made with respect to the project are tracked. The
performance is monitored to for meeting the unpredicted challenges.
 Closing – It involves delivering the project to the client along with reviewing the list of
works to ensure that all the areas have been addressed and any weaknesses if any, has been
accomplished.
Identifying the main professional bodies involved in Leeds flood alleviation scheme
Leeds City Council
It is local authority in the Leeds, England. The type of this authority is metropolitan
district of Leeds. The council was founded on 1st April, 1974. Bob Gettings is the Lord Mayor
and James Lewis is the leader of the council. Debra Coupar & Jonathan Pryor are the deputy
leaders. It is the responsibility of Leeds City Council to provide all the services that statutory
local authority is obliged to give (White, Erskine and Seims, 2019). Education, transport &
highways, housing, libraries, social services, recreation & leisure, collection of waste and its
disposal, revenue collection & environmental health are the areas of responsibilities for the
council (Elbers, M. and et.al., 2020). In west Yorkshire it is amongst the largest employers. The

chosen project Leeds Alleviation Scheme is a part of social services, housing, and environmental
health responsibilities of the council.
Environment Agency
It is an non – departmental public body of UK that was established in 1996. The agency
is responsible for protecting and enhancing the environment in England. Flood management,
regulation of pollution of land & water and their conservation are the areas of its responsibilities.
The agency operates with the agenda of promoting sustainable development (Latapí Agudelo,
Jóhannsdóttir and Davídsdóttir, 2019). The vision is to attain an environment which is rich,
diverse and healthy for the generation of present as well the future generations. The scope of the
body covers almost the entire England.
All the sources with respect to the management of floods and coastal erosion is the
responsibility of environmental agency. The role of regulating the processes of industries having
the potential of generating the greatest levels of pollution is the role of this agency. The measures
to minimize the environmental pollution in the whole of England is another responsibility.
Further in context Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme it is responsible for the regulation of disposal
of waste that is radioactive (Pucheta‐Martínez and Gallego‐Álvarez, 2019). This role excludes
the disposal of such waste which occurs in the sites that are nuclear licensed. The keeping &
treatment of radioactive waste and its accumulation is also regulated.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Flooding in national risk register of UK is at the top most priority. As per the estimated
figures of the Department for Environment every 1 out of 6 homes of England faces the risk of
getting flood through waters from coastal regions, surfaces, rivers, etc. For the protection of
homes, infrastructure, communities and businesses it is essential to have effective and efficient
management for flood risks. It is also crucial to keep the nation at the best position possible in
such times (Wingfield and et.al., 2019). The department for environment, flood and rural affairs
has a responsibility for looking the management of floods & coastal erosion for the nation.
Further it is responsible for strategic decisions & operations that are done by various authorities
designated for managing risks. According to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 there
are distinct roles entitled to various authorities. At the countrywide level The Environment
Agency has the responsibilities of preparation of plans or strategies for flood risk management

that clearly states the objective with respect to same and what actions will be taken for
accomplishing the same.
Construction Team
There are various roles and responsibilities of the construction team in the Leeds Flood
Alleviation Scheme. The team is responsible for the formulation of budget, scheduling of
activities, deliverables and quality of the deliverables. The establishment of protocols, meetings,
collaborations, methodology that will be helping in reaching the desired goals is the
responsibility of the construction team executives. The items that are of high costs are ensured by
the executives to be arranged within the budgeted criteria (Oraee and et.al., 2019). The project
manager of construction is responsible for ensuring that the meetings are timely scheduled and
the resources are organized. Superintendents are responsible for ensuring that the job site is as
per the safety measures and the work is correctly done. The site meets the quality requirement is
monitored by them. Further it’s their responsibility to see that the scheduled activities are tracked
daily and unexpected delays get documented properly.
Benefits of the construction industry to economy of UK and local communities
Benefits to UK’s Economy
The benefits of Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme over the economy of United Kingdom
can be bifurcated into two major parts one is its impact over the future and the other is on the
willingness of residents of the country to pay for the construction of such flood defences. It
provides a framework using which the advantages to persons that are not affected can be shifted
to those that are actually affected as a result of calamity. The challenges & issues to economy are
carefully taken into account while designing & adapting to the flood programmes (Bokhove and
et.al., 2020). The different situations of flooding are analysed under adverted future impacts. In
the economic terms the benefits of alleviation programs are classified as the totality of expected
damages that are curbed with the decrease in the frequency of flooding and its overall impact.
Such damages can further be direct or indirect & intangible or tangible. The damages of floods
are direct when such water comes in physical touch of the property and damages it. and the
damages are indirect when the damage is in the form of payments of certain additional costs that
are a result of flooding.
Loosing something that does not have value in market sense but have high value attached
in terms of someone’s sentiments or feelings forms the intangible damage. Loosing of things

having market prices are the tangible damages (Bokhove and et.al., 2019). Economic benefits of
alleviation scheme are saving of all such types of damages. There is another method for
measuring of economic benefits that is through stated preference method (SPM). Willingness to
pay abbreviated as WTP is estimated through CV (contingent valuation) under SPM. The
intangible aspects of floods are reduced by the way of increase in WTP as a result of schemes.
Benefits to Local Communities
Climate change increases the likelihood of floods for the upcoming years. Flood
Alleviation Schemes provides both social and economic benefits. The intensity of rainfalls
increases with the change in climate and the risks for floods are also high. According to the data
the period between 1998 to 2009 European have been experienced 200 high intensity floods. As
a result of this the death number exceeded 1100. Flood damages in United Kingdom are
estimates to be increased by 200 percent (Bokhove, 2021). Hence to control the predicted
damages it is essential to have flood alleviation schemes. The benefits to local communities are
many, to begin with the protection is given to fishes and wildlife ensuring the livelihood to
related population. The system that gets established by such schemes provides protection against
natural floods & controls the erosion. The quality of water that is available at the surface is
maintained.
Having a good quality surface water reduces the risks of various diseases that generates
because of poor water quality. The ground water gets recharged ensuring that the locals get
sufficient amount of water for meeting their basic needs. The biological productivity also
increases. The opportunities to various recreational set up like bird watching, fishing, boating,
etc. increases. Water storing capacity of the region enhances, with floodplains the floodwaters
are allowed to spread out evenly. The velocity regarding the potential erosion reduces (Ashley
and et.al., 2022). The rate of upcoming water flow reaching the area’s main water body slows
down. Wildlife is conserved with the with the reduction in risks for floods. The scheme protects
the residents of the city, the public areas in the city are preserved with the River Aire.
CONCLUSION
Based on the above report it has been concluded that the economy & society of the UK
revolves round connected by the construction industry. This industry has a major potential for
arrangement and providence of jobs that are highly paid and requires high quality skills (Burton
and et.al., 2021). From the report it can be concluded that the construction industry has reached

every part of the UK and the lives of each and every individual living in the country has
experienced its impact.
Investing based on the events that will have its impact over the country in future shapes
the leading of an effective operations of the nation. In UK such investments are done keeping in
mind the welfare of its citizens by taking care of building homes for them to live. Various public
facilities like health and education for which the residents depend on the governing authorities
are invested upon.
Infrastructure for continual smooth supply of energy for functioning of factories,
transportation facilities. And operations of offices are necessary for running economy (Mansell,
Philbin and Konstantinou, 2020). The country is front for industrial revolution provide ample
opportunities and partnerships to exist between government and such industry. Innovative
technologies are utilized for productive output generation by the industry and highly skilled
workforce.
The report has investigated the construction industry sectors. The Leeds Flood
Alleviation Scheme has been selected in the report. In the report a detailed background of chosen
project has been discussed. The activities that happened at the main phases of the project are
described. Further the life cycle of construction project has been explained. The report has
covered roles & responsibilities of the major bodies in the scheme on the basis of their
contribution to it. this report has discussed various benefits of the project in terms of social
welfare.

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