Low Threshold Doors, Nottinghamshire

Client: Various Commercial Properties

The Problem

The Newthorpe area of Nottinghamshire has a history of flooding, suffering particularly during the flood events of 2007 and 2013. Following these events, local residents and businesses demanded action to protect properties.

The 2008 Pitt Report highlighted that flooding in the area came from three major sources:

Surface water runoff
Drainage pipe surcharge
Highway surcharge runoff

Commercial properties in Valley Drive relied on 1960s timber facades to prevent floodwater ingress. The buildings’ low thresholds made it difficult to implement traditional passive flood protection measures.

The Solution

Severn Trent devised a project to provide Property Flood Resilience (PFR) to the commercial units in Valley Drive. M3 Floodtec secured the works via the Alliance framework.

After two years of R&D, M3 Floodtec launched a BSI Kitemark™ Certified, flood-tested, Low-Threshold Door for the commercial market. This solution was incorporated into the design of new shopfront facades, alongside low ground flood windows and panel systems.

The Low-Threshold Door allows wheelchair access while providing protection against flooding once closed, effectively addressing both accessibility and flood resilience.