VolkerStevin make great progress at Pevensey Star Inn Gates
The Pevensey Levels is a highly significant wetland, boasting designations as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar Site and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The Star Inn Gates is a critical water control structure on the eastern segment of the Pevensey Levels. To ensure optimal conditions for the species and habitats in its ditches, it is crucial to maintain the ideal water level across the area.
The current Star Inn structure is outdated, with two large bottom-opening gates designed primarily for land drainage purposes. The mechanical elements of the water control structure are beyond their serviceable life and fail regularly. The watercourse experiences very high flows in the winter and very low flows in the summer so there is a need for finer control, especially within the summer months.
The Environment Agency needs to retain as much water as possible in the drier months using it to feed into the extensive ditch network. During the winter months they need to manage flood risk, retaining much lower levels in the river. So, the VolkerStevin team has installed an innovative, hybrid gate which acts like a fixed weir in the summer but can also be opened fully when required in the winter.
Now the first gate has been successfully commissioned, work has commenced on the second gate, with dewatering and removal of the old mechanical elements. Completion of the second gate will provide the Environment Agency with a fully operational water control structure, it is expected to be completed in April 2025.
