Flood defence project’s green credentials recognised

Derby’s flagship flood defence scheme Our City, Our River (OCOR) has been recognised for its strong environmental performance.

OCOR is designed to protect Derby from more frequent and severe river flooding as the climate changes, and the environment is at the heart of how the scheme is being delivered.

When complete, it will provide enhanced flood protection to more than 2,000 existing properties, while also unlocking the potential for regeneration on 80 hectares of existing city centre brownfield land.

The project is being carried out on behalf of Derby City Council and the Environment Agency by contractor John Sisk & Son, which recently achieved a perfect score in its latest Considerate Constructors Scheme assessment.

Councillor Carmel Swan, the city council’s cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said: “OCOR is a major engineering scheme, but environmental responsibility runs through everything we do.

“These new defences will help protect Derby from the impacts of climate change, and we are equally focused on reducing our footprint and enhancing the riverside environment as we build them.

“It’s great to see that our delivery partners share our commitment to creating a greener Derby.”