Foss Barrier

Barrier operation

Opened in 1988, York’s Foss Barrier controls the Foss–Ouse junction. Its turnover gate weighs over 16 tonnes, stays horizontal for navigation and maintenance, and lowers in four minutes. Eight pumps move Foss water through a side culvert, maintaining roughly 6.5m; equal river levels permit reopening.

Upgrade after flooding

The December 2015 floods prompted stronger pumps and raised generation. Planned flow exceeded 40m³/s, previously 30; the programme targeted two years instead of three–four. A raised platform beside the electrical plantroom keeps backup equipment above floodwater.

Generation requirement

• Four Cummins sets rated at 1,675kVA each.
• Variable demand from one pump at minimum speed to eight at full load.
• Station auxiliary loads included.
• A smaller standby set specified for auxiliaries when pumping is unnecessary.

Procurement and delivery team

Main contractor J.N.Bentley selected YorPower through competitive tender. Working with Cummins, YorPower addressed deadlines and the design team’s specification; CH2M participated in the design team. Engineers based within 20miles of York coordinated system design with Bentley. The scope included on-site installation and commissioning of the sets.