The general aim of Floodcom was an improved outlook for vulnerable communities in the 2Seas programme area with regard to the risk of flooding.

The main objective of Floodcom was to share a set of practical solutions with project partners and the wider 2Seas area for making flood risk areas safer for living and working. Implementation was to be achieved through 4 pilot flood alleviation schemes representing 2 different approaches to the problem of lowland flooding associated with climate change.

The specific objectives were as follows:

• The project will share technical knowledge through exchanges of staff.

• All partners will contribute to the technical toolkit” sharing information gained through the Floodcom project for the dissemination to others.

• All partners will participate in encouraging flood awareness and highlighting flood defence schemes to the public through using selected social media sites, an educative geocaching project involving local schools and by teacher/class exchanges.

• To ensure that crucial information is available to partners in their own language if necessary (translations will be available in French and Dutch).

• To advise and inform on self-help and resilience for flooding

• For the lead partner to arrange, with the other partners, a joint conference to disseminate the technical toolkit and share lessons learnt.

• All partners to contribute towards a tool kit to share information, learned experiences and practical advice.

The FLOODCOM project consisted of three main activities:

Activity 1: Urban water flow techniques
This activity examined and implemented water flow techniques and techniques to monitor water levels to allow for pumping of water to keep regions flood free. The two flood alleviation schemes were as follows:
W&Z undertook the construction of a pumping station at Hedwige-Prosper Polder site, covering over 4,000 hectares, near Antwerp to protect the hinterland with special attention given to architecture, technical solutions and fish migration. During heavy rainfall, a pumping station provides help by pumping the water into the Schelde. The station is located on the border of the project area and the Hertog Prosperstraat. In addition, this technical construction provides a fine vantage point for recreational users. Once the water level in the adjacent polder canals reaches a certain height, the installation pumps the excess water to the tidal nature area.

Activity 2: Urban water retention techniques
The purpose of this activity was to examine, plan, implement and share with partners and disseminate to communities directly affected by flood risk, new water retention techniques.

Activity 3: Interactive Communication Techniques
The community engagement programme for schools was completed by creating a bespoke education pack to enable children to understand the need for the construction of flood defences. Workbooks, case studies, quizzes, an interactive website and a flood detective game were also accompanied by a geocaching activity at the location of the flood defences for which the children designed geocoins. The Education website (www.floodcom-education.eu) was constructed to share information about the site projects to the school children across all of the partner locations. For the educators involved in the programme, a teacher toolkit has also been devised to accompany and facilitate the delivery of the activities.
School exchanges were also carried out between Margaretting in the UK and the College Gaspard Malo in France with visits at both locations.
A final conference was organised and held on 24th September 2014 in Antwerp to present the findings of the project and lessons learned as well as disseminate the final toolkit of information to relevant professionals, authorities and organisations.

W&Z implemented a pumping station on site and made a study of comparable situations in which flooding risk exists to investigate if pumping is the only solution. They also implemented a geocache activity on site.

Chelmsford:

• Floodcom has enabled the detailed design work for the FAS to be completed, which will enable the project to go ahead at a later date.

• Two technical exchanges were held, where 20 experts were able to learn from their partners about the schemes, including governance, funding, practical issues, and challenges.

• The education pack was piloted by one school, before being rolled out to other partner schools. Two exchange visits were held between an English and French school, with a focus on flooding, flood awareness and resilience.

• Members of the Chelmsford team attended all steering group meetings, and involved other experts from inside and outside the organisation.

• Two workshops were delivered at the final conference, in addition to participation in networking sessions.



IIW: In late 2013, the corresponding services were transferred, after devolution as part of an open call for tender, to the EIFFAGE ENERGIE INDUSTRIE NORD / EDI-TP / TELAM group.

New sensors have been installed in order to collect complementary information on the hydrological situation (rain gauge, level measurement...). In terms of communication, new technologies have been rolled out so as to gather real-time information and increase the responsiveness of the operators in case of incident.

The automation has been replaced and new features have been developed to increase the reliability and performance of the equipment. New supervision stations have been made available to the facility managers to make the operation easier.

W&Z: By implementation of the pumping station we reduced the risk of flooding for the local community of the Prosperpolder.



Breda: There is be a lot information gathered. This information can be used for the further development of the Spinolaschans. Also parties realise that the problem around water retention must be seen in a broader perspective. Now the waterboard and the city of Breda are looking for a solution that will have an even more sustainable perspective. At the end the inhabitants but also companies in Breda will have lower costs and get a solution that will also contribute to more goals such as recreation and landscape.



Chelmsford:

• Partnership with Breda – sharing of technical expertise and advising on approaches to each other’s schemes.

• All Floodcom partners – sharing of technical expertise advising on approaches to each other’s schemes.

• Margaretting Primary School – an education pack to share messages on flooding and resilience, enhanced technology to enable participating in Floodcom, pupil exchanges to further explore the flooding message, and improve language skills and cultural awareness.

• The wider community of Margaretting Primary School – teachers will continue to use the education pack in the future, after the close of Floodcom; parents have absorbed messages from their children and in some cases become involved with helping on the exchange and geocache events.

• Other schools – will benefit from the education pack as it is disseminated more widely.

• Technical experts from the partner countries – attendance at the final conference where the findings and outcomes of the Floodcom project were delivered, and receipt of the Floodcom tool kit.

• Technical experts not attending the conference – a legacy with the website and tool kit information which will remain in place until 2025.



IIW: All partners and localities benefitted.



IIW: All partners and localities benefitted.

There has been an exchange of knowledge between the partners on their experiences in flooding and how to prevent it.



Learning that goes beyond Floodcom: It is refreshing to be given the opportunity to meet people from different countries and professional disciplines.



It has been indispensable to meet technical experts from other countries, who have specific project experience, and to translate that into the Chelmsford project. In addition, much has been learned that goes beyond Floodcom. It’s been possible to have debates, exchange ideas and see practical examples of ideas in planning, urban design, landscape architecture, politics, ecology and culture and history. The partner site visits were particularly valuable in this respect.

No, not specifically, although we have been aware of other programmes taking place. Networking took place at the final conference between partners, guest speakers and delegates. This included the following organisations: Essex Fire & Rescue, Antwerp University, CEPRI, local government, the Environment Agency, Bruxelles Environnement and flood industry experts.

W&Z: We constructed a pumping station on site. This station will maintain for decades.



Breda: The information that is gathered during this project is presented in the toolkit so people can take notice of that information and can learn from our experiences. At the end the project, the Spinolaschans must lead to a reconstructed site. Furthermore we want to implement a school project to the schools in Breda to inform the pupils about the impact of water on their daily life.



Chelmsford: A key part of the Floodcom project has been the production of the Floodcom tool kit, and the education pack. These are available on the project website which will be hosted until 2025. Chelmsford’s own website links to the Floodcom website, and every opportunity will be taken to promote the tool kit and education pack through appropriate channels in the future.



IIW: A technically advanced water management system for Dunkirk and the surrounding area.

The partners have made good contacts with technical experts from the partner countries, and there is a commitment by all partners to offer advice and information on future activity and new projects.

A lasting legacy of information through both the project website and downloadable technical toolkit and the education website containing all the education workshop materials.

W&Z: The construction of the pumping station is finalised so there is no follow-up of the project. But we will keep working on implementing the Sigmaplan.

Breda: For the city of Breda is not clear what the solution will be for the wateproblem. It is likely that there will be external funding necessary. If it is possible we want European funding. For the reconstruction of the Spinolaschans the funding will come from provincial or national level.

Chelmsford: Chelmsford plans to commence the construction of the main works of the FAS in spring 2015, with completion by the autumn. It has been designed to last at least 100 years, holding back water on the River Wid at times of flooding.We are also investigating how the education toolkit can be more widely disseminated, for future pupils at Margaretting Primary School, and other schools within Essex and beyond.

IIW: Continued testing and any upgrading of the water management system.