BOSTON BLACK SLUICE FLOOD DEFENCE AND LOCK

Lock 21m long, 6m broad, 2.8m deep.

Sector gate on sea side of lock, mitre gate on river side of lock.

2 x Hydraulic power units.

83.5 kW installed power.

72.4 L/min/pump.

Running and standby pumps.

Hydraulic flow division.

Design for the environment incl full stainless steel pipe installation.

2 x 8.5 tonne steel gates.

Overview

The Boston Black Sluice Lock is the first part of the Fens Waterways Link, which will create 240km of navigation from Lincoln through to Cambridgeshire. It forms part of a £100m project to regenerate Lincolnshire’s waterways, with the first stage completed in 2009.

Significantly, the new lock also provides flood defence management through two 8.5 tonne flood defence lock gates, connecting the Black Sluice Navigation with the tidal Boston Haven.

IMH directly engaged with the Environment Agency to help achieve the project’s objectives of both flood management and recreational regeneration for the area. This involved developing a complete hydraulic system for the lock and liaising with the client on the associated civil engineering and gate manufacture.

Developing the Hydraulic Lock Gate System

IMH was responsible for the design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of the new hydraulic lock gate system, utilising our core hydraulic engineering capabilities.

The system incorporated two hydraulic power units, running and standby pumps and hydraulic flow division, with 83.5 kW of installed power and a flow rate of 72.4 L/min per pump.

The hydraulic system was developed to operate the lock’s sector gate on the sea side and support the operation of the flood defence infrastructure connecting the Black Sluice Navigation with the tidal Boston Haven.

Environmental conditions were also considered throughout the design, including the installation of stainless steel marine hydraulic pipework to provide a robust solution suitable for the waterside environment.

Supporting Flood Defence and Waterway Management

The new lock was designed to fulfil two important functions: improving navigation through the Fens Waterways Link while also contributing to flood defence management in Boston.

IMH worked directly with the Environment Agency and liaised with the wider project team to ensure the hydraulic solution could meet these operational requirements.

The resulting hydraulic sluice gate system supports the controlled movement of the gates while helping manage the release of water from the Fens to the sea.

Project Outcome

One of the key benefits of the system design is the potential for considerable energy savings. Water can be released from the Fens to the sea in a controlled manner without requiring a pumping station under normal operating conditions.

IMH successfully managed and executed the hydraulic elements of the project, taking a flexible approach to problem solving throughout its long-term development.

The project demonstrates IMH’s ability to deliver complete hydraulic solutions for lock gates, waterways and flood defence infrastructure, from initial design and manufacture through to installation and commissioning.

“IMH’s technical expertise has been proven over many years and on diverse projects. They provide a customer focused service taking complex projects from design through commissioning and follow with excellent service support as required. From major flood defence barrier upgrades to new build such as the Boston Lock Project, IMH offered a flexible approach to solving problems and overcoming unforeseen hurdles. It is always a pleasure to work with the team at IMH and I looking forward to this relationship continuing.”

Ivan Nicholls, Meica Coordinator, Jackson Civil Engineering

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