The project will deliver approximately 8 km of flood defences across 21 sites. The scheme will address fluvial flooding from the River Bann and its tributaries, the Corcrain and Annagh Rivers. Key elements of the proposals include the installation of steel sheet piling, HZM steel and secant piled walls, concrete L-shaped walls, embankments, flood gates, demountable barriers, culverts, headwalls, and property-level resilience solutions.
In addition to permanent structures, the project will involve temporary works, drainage improvements, contractor design responsibilities, ecological surveys, and diversions of essential services. Construction will be delivered in three phases over a six-year period beginning in November 2026, according to the DfI.
Procurement for the scheme will follow a competitive flexible procedure. Bidders will be shortlisted through an NEC Participation Stage before being invited to tender for Phase 1. All successful firms from this stage will secure a place on a framework, enabling them to compete for subsequent phases. The framework, valued at around £72 million including VAT, will be awarded based on a 60:40 price-to-quality ratio, which also includes social value criteria.
The construction division of the Central Procurement Directorate, which oversees public procurement policy in Northern Ireland, is assisting DfI with the tender process. The tender is expected to be issued in November 2025, with an award decision scheduled for July 2026. Site work is planned to begin later the same year.
Flood risk in Portadown has been a significant concern for decades. The town was designated an at-risk area following a series of severe flood events in 1986, 1987, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015/16, and most recently in 2023. The DfI has emphasized that the risk of flooding is likely to grow in the future as a result of climate change, which may increase the frequency and intensity of flood events.
The Portadown FAS represents one of the largest investments in flood resilience in the region and is intended to protect residents, businesses, and infrastructure from recurring damage. By incorporating both structural defences and property-level measures, the scheme aims to provide comprehensive protection and support long-term community resilience.
Once completed, the project will not only strengthen flood protection for Portadown but also serve as a framework for future schemes across Northern Ireland, reflecting the government’s commitment to adapting infrastructure in response to changing climate risks.
