Need help finding something?
PROJECTS
Upper Thurne Drainage Improvements Project
Services
Civil Engineering
Location
Norfolk Broads
Partners
See individual pumping
station projects below
Start & Completion
January 2025 – Ongoing
Horsey Pumping Station
Construction works are ongoing throughout 2025, with completion due in Summer 2026
St Benets Pumping Station
Construction works are ongoing throughout 2025, with completion due in Summer 2026
Martham Pumping Station
Coming soon - Enabling works are complete and construction due to commence in Spring 2026
Potter Heigham Pumping Station
Coming soon - Enabling works are complete and construction due to commence in Spring 2026
Brograve Pumping Station
Coming soon - Construction due to commence in Spring 2026
Overview
In Spring 2025 the Broads Internal Drainage Board commenced construction of four replacement pumping stations marking the start of a significant 4 year capital pumping station replacement programme.
The Upper Thurne Drainage Improvements Project will replace 11 of the 14 pumping stations within the River Thurne catchment in the Norfolk Broads at Horsey, St Benets, Martham, Potter Heigham, Brograve, Stubb, Catfield, Horse Fen, Repps Staithe, Somerton South, and Thurne.
The current submersible canister pumping stations were typically built in the 1950’s with some housed within far older foundations dating back to the 19th Century. Despite ongoing maintenance to sustain their operation all have significantly exceeded their design life and are unsuitable for further refurbishment.
Collectively the 14 pumping stations protect over 6300 hectares of Broads Internal Drainage Board districts including nationally and internationally designated habitat, 708 properties, local communities, tourism and infrastructure.
Each site features unique challenges with a mosaic of designated habitats including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s), Special Area of Conservation (SAC’s), Special Protection Area (SPA’s), National Nature Reserve (NNR’s) and Ramsar designations as well as significant variations in ground conditions.
The existing pumping stations are generally built in existing raised flood defences, within or adjacent to historic infrastructure.
The presence of active boat yards, staithes, moorings and other tourism such as the National Trust Horsey Wind Pump present a unique set of challenges to the project.
Benefits
The Upper Thurne Drainage Improvements Project will bring significant benefits to both the environment and local communities:
- Improved flood resilience for over 700 homes, vital tourism assets, and local infrastructure
- Safeguarding nationally important habitats, ensuring long-term protection for wetlands that support rare wildlife and biodiversity
- Sustainable drainage systems that reduce maintenance requirements and extend the working life of critical infrastructure
- Long-term climate resilience, by replacing ageing assets with modern, efficient pumping technology
