Need help finding something?
PROJECTS
Wolferton Pumping Station Project
Services
Civil Engineering
Location
Steer Road, Wolferton, King’s Lynn
Partners
Stantec (design and environmental support)
Breheny (construction)
Stantec (project management)
Start & Completion
April 2018 – September 2019
The Wolferton Pumping Station project is located within the Royal Estate at Sandringham in Norfolk, an area of environmental & heritage importance. The surroundings include marshland that lies below sea level, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), RSPB-managed habitat and farmland, including areas owned by the Sandringham Estate.
The project was made possible through strong collaboration between the Kings Lynn Drainage Board, the Environment Agency and contractor Breheny, with support from the Sandringham Estate. Every effort was made to minimise impact on wildlife and protect the rich natural ecosystems in and around the site.
Project Overview
The scheme replaced the original pumping station (built in the early 1940s) with a modern facility designed for greater efficiency, environmental sensitivity and improved flood risk management.
Main works included:
- Erecting three new permanent cofferdams using steel sheet piles up to 17 metres in length, with reinforced concrete capping beams and walls.
- Building a main drain inlet structure, which houses three electric pumps capable of collectively pumping 4,800 litres per second to sea via three 900 mm diameter pumping mains.
- Constructing a second inlet structure to manage the flow from the River Ingol, using twin 1.5 m diameter culverts under the sea bank.
- Creating a combined outfall structure to reduce silt build-up that has previously impeded river flows.
Benefits
The completed Wolferton Pumping Station delivers a range of benefits for both community and environment:
- Improved flood protection: The modernised pumping capacity ensures reliable drainage of the surrounding 7,000 acres of marshland, safeguarding farmland, homes and infrastructure.
- Enhanced environmental stewardship: The design and building work were carried out to reduce disturbance to sensitive habitats (birds, marshland flora/fauna), preserving the SSSI, RSPB areas and estate ecosystems.
- Better sustainability and flow management: The combined outfall helps mitigate silt accumulation, improving river flow reliability, reducing maintenance demands and helping the system to last longer.
- Heritage & community recognition: The opening by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged the long history of the station (since 1948), raising awareness of its role in the landscape and giving credit to staff and partners whose work has kept Norfolk’s lowlands dry.
- Agricultural productivity: The marshland, once drained, continues to produce organic crops such as wheat, barley, oats and beans, contributing to local food production and rural economy.
Opening & Royal Visit
After about 18 months of construction, the new Wolferton Pumping Station was officially opened by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on 3 February 2020.
This date was significant: it came exactly 72 years after King George VI opened the original station on 2 February 1948.
During her visit, The Queen toured the new station, met long-serving IDB staff (some with over 30 years’ working for the board) and unveiled a commemorative plaque.
Project Gallery
