Jackson is lead contractor on the £12.6m scheme in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent, working on behalf of the Environment Agency.

The Fowlea Brook runs through the heart of the Staffordshire city and quickly fills up during heavy rainfall. The work involved repairs and upgrades to over 500 metres of the channel, extending its lifespan for another 60 years. New flood walls and embankments were constructed, and a new flood gate installed.

The scheme was characterised by challenging access issues, with building work being carried out immediately alongside the channel through much of its length. The team also had to work around two fish spawning seasons and, as part of the scheme, removed a weir that prevented fish from swimming upstream, reopening 6.5km of the brook for fish migration.

The EA says this major upgrade will better protect more than 300 homes and businesses and help unlock major regeneration on 20 hectares of old industrial land in Stoke. Three housing developments are already under construction with a further six sites in the planning system.