FLOODCOM Partner Meeting 10 & 11 September 2013, Breda, the Netherlands

Activity Report

Tuesday 10th September Steering Group MeetingOn the 10th September the fourth Steering Group meeting was held in at the Breda City Council, the Netherlands. The meeting was chaired by Keith Lawson and opened by Alderman Akinici who wished Floodcom project a good meeting.

Keith Lawson chairing the SG meeting

Alderman Akinici opening the Floodcom meeting

The partners gave presentations about the progress of the works at their individual sites, with particular focus on investments and staff costs as part of the major modification of the Floodcom overall budget.

For full details of the meeting, please see the minutes.There was also a breakout session to discuss the Communication and Dissemination of the project as well as an update on the Education Activity given by the newly appointed officer Hazel Newton.

Tom Rozendal presenting the situation in Breda

The meeting was followed by a boat trip on the Breda River Canal.

Boat trip on the Breda River Canal

Wednesday 11th September Site VisitThe Second day of the Steering Group Meeting was dedicated to visiting Teteringen and Spinolaschans sites.

The partners learn about Teteringen and Spinolaschans

The partners learn about Teteringen development

The partners visited the Teteringen site to see how water is managed next to a site for building a new housing estate.

Water managed at Teteringen site

Partners at Teteringen site

Partners at the Spinolaschans site

Water retention has a long history at the Spinolaschans site and Floodcom will help to deliver the works required for the modern water retention scheme. The site will be restored showing the different layers of history. After the construction of the affected entrenchment and completion of the scheme, the whole site will be added to the Breda’s recreational network giving the inhabitants the possibility to visit the site as an adventure/experience.Due to the landowner withdrawing his initial approval of the Floodcom works at the Spinolaschans site, the Breda team have thought to a Plan B which involves the construction of a 10m deep ditch/pipe under a very busy road. This part of the works which will affect mainly the South wall of the site, is subject to approval of the planning application, permits from the electric companies and permission from the Urban Water Board. This process which may involve public consultation may be at risk of not finishing within the timescales of the Floodcom project.

Partners walk Spinolaschans site

The Spinolaschans site has the capacity to hold 30,000m3 of water. For the works to go ahead, the Urban Water Board have asked for the area to be flooded for 15 consecutive days to see if the walls/dykes are permeable. The Breda City Council thinks that water will infiltrated the dykes.

At a later stage, Breda City Council have decided not go ahead with the investment and building of the water retention scheme. However, the Council will continue to contribute to the Education activity of the project and the interregional cooperation across the project.