The built embankment separating the South Yorkshire Navigation and River Don at Wheatley Cut, Doncaster, South Yorkshire has a life-long history of instability, with various small stabilisation works carried out over the last 60 years. Due to the very soft ground conditions and construction limitations posed by the inaccessibility of the site by road, none have had a long lasting effect. This was compounded by legal and political issues between the Environment Agency and the landowners. During the winter of 2012/13, rapid slope movement compromised the crest of the flood embankment. This raised concern regarding the immediate stability of a 30m stretch of embankment, and a further 600m beyond this. Failure of the embankment could have resulted in the canal emptying into the River Don and flooding of around 700 properties in north Doncaster. By April 2013 The Environment Agency were no longer prepared to accept the flood risk posed by the condition of the flood embankment, and used their powers to instigate "Emergency Works". A contractor was appointed to design and build a remediation solution. Design works were compressed, and an initial design of sheet piling and reprofiling was completed within 6 weeks. Construction works started in June 2013, with plant positioned on pontoons. The immediate risk of flooding was removed by the end of that month. Site works are ongoing. Thoughtful planning has allowed the works to continue over the winter of 2013/14. The overall solution was completed at the end of July 2014.
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