Design Agility at Umbourne

The Umbourne drainage scheme presented KITE Projects with the challenge of designing a bespoke system to transport water from a higher level into an adjacent drainage network within difficult-to-access terrain, demonstrating design agility at Umbourne.

Network Rail Southern required a compliant and practical solution that would meet both operational and safety requirements while overcoming site constraints.

Design Solution

KITE Projects developed a site-specific flume system, incorporating a suspended water-carrying structure, a trackside inspection chamber and a new access stair structure to allow safe maintenance and inspection.

The design was fully compliant with Network Rail and British Standard protocols, ensuring the solution supported safe site operations and long-term performance.

Design Agility

To meet the unique demands of the site, KITE Projects adapted its Cascade system to create an engineered flume structure suspended above the ground.

The modular design allowed sections of the flume to be delivered in easy-to-handle components, ideal for a difficult-to-access location. Each section was tapered to overlap with the next and sealed with neoprene to create a waterproof joint.

This adaptable approach enabled a practical installation while maintaining structural integrity and system reliability.

The KITE Projects Process

• Topographical survey conducted using data from Crouch Waterfall

• Layout drawings and structural calculations completed to verify the design

• Design pack submitted to Crouch and M Group for approval

• KITE Projects provided technical guidance during installation

  
  

By combining modular design with engineering adaptability, the Umbourne drainage scheme demonstrates how tailored solutions can unlock challenging sites while maintaining safety, compliance and efficiency.