THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY SPECIFIES ICATS
..for both large and small flood defense projects!
In view of the recent publicity relating to the improvements, strengthening and maintenance of the countries flood defence network of structures, the majority of which are the responsibility of the Environment Agency to maintain these structures in good working order, it was good to hear that the new specifications call for ICATS contractors.
The best known and probably the largest of these defence systems is London’s Thames Barrier. Designed, fabricated and coated in the late 1970’s the barrier has been operational since the early 80’s.Over the last two years, minor but important maintenance repainting of certain areas of the Thames Barrier Gates, have been carried out and the Environment Agency have approved the inclusion in this important specification for ICATS registered companies.
The specification was drawn up by the design consultants, Halcrow Limited, and approved by the Independent Technical Authority, the Atkins Group. The specification was finally approved by the Environment Agency before the repainting contract was let.
The main contractor for the project, Volker Stevin, approached a number of specialist coating contractors who had registered with the ICATS scheme and the successful bidder was Strada Ltd, a company that was one of the first contractors who had registered with ICATS in 2006. Strada’s trainers are currently completing training for all of their operatives up to the required qualification standard.
In addition to the Thames Barrier, a number of maintenance painting contracts on smaller sluice gates, weirs, pilings and flood defence structures have all incorporated the requirement for ICATS registered painting contracting companies to be included in the list of painting sub contractors to carry out this diverse range of projects.