Barrier

Abstract

The present invention provides a base for a flood defence barrier, wherein the base comprises a bottom face intended to rest on the surface on which the base is to be placed, a front face intended to contact the flood water and a rear face on the opposite side of the base to the front face, wherein the front face is positioned at an acute angle to the bottom face, one or more holes extending through the base from the front face to the rear face, and a filtering means on the front face that at least partially covers the one or more holes.

Description

[0001] BARRIER

[0002] The present invention concerns a base for a flood defence barrier, a kit comprising said base, a flood defence barrier comprising said bases and methods of erecting said flood defence barrier.

[0003] Flooding is an increasingly common problem in many areas of the world and poses a serious issue in relation to both maintenance of and damage to fences in high-risk flood areas. A conventional fence panel will collect debris from the flooding, which will prevent the water passing through the panel, thereby increasing the pressure on the panel from the water. This can eventually lead to the panel breaking.

[0004] Commonly used solutions include fences with small passages at ground level for water to flow through. However, these are easily clogged with debris and so can require extensive maintenance work. In addition, commonly used solutions have insufficient drainage for high-risk flood areas where the water flow rate is high and the volume of water is large. Therefore, the current solutions require high levels of monitoring and maintenance to avoid blockages and costly repairs where prolonged exposure to water, due to flooding, has damaged the fence or where the fence systems are not sufficiently designed to withstand the force of debris and water.

[0005] This can become very costly if maintenance is required across the entire length of the fence. In addition, damaged fences result in unsecure perimeters and replacing damaged sections may become costly, particularly in areas with high security fencing.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to provide a base for a flood defence barrier to overcome the maintenance and drainage issues of the current fences in flood-prone areas. In addition, the present invention aims to provide a base for a flood defence barrier which can maintain a high security level and can reduce damage to high security fence panels and posts.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a base for a flood defence barrier. The base comprises a bottom face intended to rest on the surface on which the base is to be placed. The base also comprises a front face intended to contact the flood water and a rear face on the opposite side of the base to the front face. The front face is positioned at an acute angle to the bottom face. One or more holes extend through the base from the front face to the rear face. The base also comprises a filtering means on the front face that at least partially covers the one or more holes. The term "fence panel" is used herein to refer to a panel that is in use supported by fence posts to create a fence. In addition, the term "fence panel" is used herein to refer to a panel and any additional security features that it may comprise.

[0008] As used herein, the term "length" refers to the horizontal dimension of a component part, parallel to the surface on which the base is to be positioned. Thus, the length of a fence panel is generally the distance between two fence posts. As used herein, the term "height" refers to the vertical direction of a component part, perpendicular to the surface on which the base is to be positioned.

[0009] The inventors have surprisingly found that this base is secure and easy to install. The base allows water and sediment, such as sand and small stones, to flow through the apertures of the filtering means and through the hole(s) of the base. However, the angle of the front face means that larger debris, such as leaves and man-made rubbish, is pushed up and away from the filtering means. This reduces blockages of the filtering means and therefore reduces maintenance requirements. In addition, the claimed bases reduce the risk of standing flood water, which could cause damage.

[0010] The rear face may be positioned at an acute angle to the bottom face. Preferably, the rear face may be vertical, relative to the surface on which the base is to be placed. In other words, the rear face may be perpendicular to the bottom face.

[0011] The base may comprise two or more holes extending through the base from the front face to the rear face. Preferably, the base comprises two holes. The two or more holes may be the same size and shape. This reduces the complexity during production and assembly of the base. The one or more holes may extend through the barrier parallel to the bottom face of the barrier.

[0012] The base may be formed from concrete. Preferably, the base may be formed from reinforced concrete. This advantageously allows the base to be heavy enough to not require substantial foundations to be laid. In addition, this results in the base having a sufficient strength to support a fence panel and optionally fence posts, or any other type of barrier member, on top of the base.

[0013] The concrete may be a damp-proof and / or watertight concrete. This advantageously reduces the risk of damage to the base if it is frequently exposed to water in high-risk flood zones. The filtering means may extend over the entire area of the one or more holes on the front face of the base. If there is more than one hole in the base, each hole may have its own filtering means that extends over its entire area on the front face. Alternatively, a single filtering means may extend over all of the holes on the front face. This stops all large debris from entering the one or more holes of the base and provides a level of security to the base. Other than the filtering means, the one or more holes may comprise no other obstruction to the flow of water between the front face and the rear face.

[0014] The filtering means may cover the entire front face. This advantageously reduces the number of attachments required, thereby increasing the ease with which the base is assembled. Alternatively, the filtering means may extend beyond all of the edges of the one or more holes, without covering the entire front face. This reduces the amount of material required to produce the filtering means. Thus, where the base comprises a plurality of holes it may also comprise a plurality of filtering means, which may all be the same material.

[0015] The filtering means may be formed from a different material to the base. The filtering means may comprise a wire mesh. The mesh may be formed from steel bars. The steel mesh may be able to provide a high level of security. The filtering means may be resistant to cutting with hand tools. The bars of the mesh may be welded together. The bars of the mesh may be more than 15 mm thick, preferably more than 20 mm thick. The mesh may provide a 10-minute delay to intruders.

[0016] The filtering means may rest on top of the front face, may be in line with the front face or may be just inside the opening of the hole (e.g. less than 100mm from the front face). This can increase the ease with which the filtering means can be cleaned. The filtering means is preferably not vertical and more preferably is in line with the slope of the front face. The filtering means may be held in place by portions of the filtering means that extend into apertures on the base. For example, there may be a plurality of apertures positioned around the hole in the base and portions of the filtering means may extend into these apertures in order to hold it into position. The apertures may be on the front face or on the internal surfaces of the hole. This advantageously increases the level of security, as the filtering means cannot be easily removed.

[0017] The filtering means may be cast into the base. This advantageously increases the level of security, as the filtering means cannot be easily removed. The filtering means may be connected to the base by connection means. Connection means include screws, bolts and plates that connect the filtering means to the base.

[0018] The base may be positioned so that flood water flows from the front face to the rear face in use. Therefore, the force of the water on the front face and filtering means may be very large, depending on the intensity of the flooding. Extending into apertures on the base, or being cast into the base, therefore advantageously results in the base being able to withstand high pressures of water flow and debris impact from flooding. These arrangements result in less force being applied to the connection means connecting the filtering means to the base, and reduces the risk of the filtering means becoming dislodged.

[0019] The filtering means may be removable. This advantageously allows easier maintenance and / or replacement of the filtering means if damage occurs, as it negates the need to replace the whole base. The connection means may only be accessible from the one side of the base, preferably the rear side of the base. This can improve the security of the mesh panels, as intruders cannot reach the connection means in order to dislodge the mesh.

[0020] In addition, the filtering means being removable allows the mesh size to be selected for each base depending on the specific circumstances in use, for example, the expected size of debris in that area. Further, it allows the mesh to be replaced with an alternative mesh size at a later date, if required. Thus, the functionality of the base may be adjusted without the need to replace the entire base.

[0021] The base may further comprise a top face, to which a barrier member may be connected. The top face of the base may be flat. The top face may not comprise any holes therethrough. This provides a suitable surface for the barrier member to be connected to.

[0022] The top face may comprise a covering means that covers the one or more connections between the barrier member and the base. The covering means may cover all of the points at which the barrier member is connected to the base, and may extend along the entire length at which the barrier member contacts the base. The covering means may extend the entire length of the base. The covering means may comprise a concrete beam. The concrete beam may be poured after the barrier means has been connected to the base, optionally after the flood defence barrier has been assembled and positioned. The barrier member may extend into the concrete beam. This advantageously acts to cover the attachment means of the fence panels and / or posts, or other barrier members, to the top face of the base, resulting in increased security. It may also reinforce the attachment means of the fence panel and / or posts, or other barrier members, to the base in cases where there is water flow above the height of the bases.

[0023] The top face may be parallel to the bottom face. This results in the top face being parallel to the surface on which the base is to be placed. This advantageously provides a suitable surface for fence panels and / or fence posts, or other barrier members, to be connected to.

[0024] A dimension of the one or more holes may be more than 50% of the parallel dimension of the front face and / or of the rear face. Preferably, a dimension of the one or more holes may be more than 70% of the parallel dimension of the front face and / or the rear face and more preferably more than 80%. For example, the height of the one or more holes may be more than 50%, more than 70% or more than 80% of the height of the rear face. The dimension of the holes extending at an angle to the bottom face may be more than 50% of the dimension of the front face that extends at said angle to the bottom face, preferably more than 70% and more preferably more than 80%.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the total length of the one or more holes (i.e. the combined length of the holes if there are more than one) may be more than 50% of the length of the base, preferably more than 70% and more preferably more than 80%. This advantageously allows a large volume of water to flow through the one or more holes but still ensures that the base has enough structural integrity to not be moved or tilted by the water.

[0026] The open area of the one or more holes (i.e. the combined area of the holes if there are more than one) may be more than 50% of the total area of the front face and / or rear face of the base, preferably more than 60% and more preferably more than 70%. This advantageously allows a large volume of water to flow through the one or more holes but still ensures that the base has enough structural integrity to not be moved or tilted by the force of the water.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the front face and / or rear face may have a ratio of holes to base surface of between about 50:50 and 90:10, preferably between about 60:40 and about 85:15. This advantageously allows a large volume of water to flow through the one or more holes but still ensures that the base has enough structural integrity to not be moved or tilted by the force of the water. At least part of the cross-section of the one or more holes may be square. At least part of the crosssection of the one or more holes may be rectangular. The cross-section of the holes may be constant through the base. Said cross-section may be as viewed from the rear face. At least one dimension of the cross-section of the hole may be more than 50cm, preferably more than 75cm. At least one dimension of the cross-section of the hole may be less than 150cm. Preferably, at least one dimension of the cross-section of the hole may be between 80 and 120cm. The holes may be 100cm x 100cm. This advantageously allows a large volume of water to flow through and reduces the risk of an entire hole becoming blocked by debris.

[0028] The filtering means may comprise apertures having a longest dimension of between 50mm and 250mm, preferably between 100mm and 200mm. This allows water and sediment such as sand and small stones to pass through the apertures but stops larger debris from passing through. The apertures may be square or rectangular. The filtering means may comprise apertures having a smallest dimension of between 50mm and 250mm, preferably between 100mm and 200mm, which advantageously allows small and medium sized debris to pass through the filtering means, without blocking the holes.

[0029] The front face of the base may be at an angle of 20-80°, preferably 40-70°, to the bottom face. The angle may be of 20-60°, preferably 30-45°, to the bottom face. The inventors have surprisingly found that having the front face of the base at this angle results in large debris, which is too large to pass through the apertures of the filtering means, being pushed upwards and therefore away from the filtering means. This reduces the instances of the filtering means becoming blocked, thereby ensuring that the flow of flood water through the holes is maintained. If the angle is greater than this, then it is difficult for the debris to be pushed up along the front face. If the angle is less than this, then there is likely to be insufficient flow of water through the holes.

[0030] The top face may have a smaller surface area than the bottom face because of the angled front face. This advantageously results in the base having a low centre of gravity, which improves the stability of the base. This reduces the risk of the base tilting or moving due to the force of the water flowing through it.

[0031] The base may further comprise a secondary front face, below the front face. The secondary front face may be perpendicular to the bottom face. The secondary front face advantageously allows the bottom face of the base to be placed lower than the level of the surface on which the base is to be placed, which helps secure the base in place. In addition, this can allow the one or more holes in the base to be in line with the surface on which the base is to be placed and therefore function even if only a low level of flooding has occurred. At least the front of the lower surface of the one or more holes may be positioned below or in line with the surface on which the base is to be placed. The secondary front face may extend the entire length of the base.

[0032] The secondary front face may be the same height as the height of a lower section of the rear face below the one or more holes that extend through the base. Thus, the entire bottom face can be positioned below the surface on which the base is to be located and the lower surface of the holes can be below or in line with the surface on which the base is to be placed at both the front and the rear of the base.

[0033] The one or more holes preferably extend to the bottom edge of the front face. The one or more holes preferably extend to the top edge of the secondary front face. The one or more holes may therefore extend into the bottom 20% of the height of the base, preferably the bottom 10%. This ensures that water can flow through the holes even at low levels of flooding.

[0034] The one or more holes may be fully enclosed by the material of the base. In particular, the bottom of the one or more holes may be defined by an internal surface of the base that extends from the front face to the rear face. This minimises the erosion of the ground underneath the barrier.

[0035] The base may further comprise a connecting means for connecting the base to an adjacent base. The adjacent base may be an identical base. The connecting means may comprise bolts and / or plates. The bolts may be secured by a nut or may be self-locking bolts. This advantageously improves the security of the base and may aid in positioning adjacent bases, as well as supporting the base to prevent it tilting when water applies pressure to one side thereof.

[0036] The base may further comprise one or more barrier members connected thereto, preferably to the top face. The one or more barrier members may be any component able to create a barrier, such as a fence panel, a screen, a railing, a gate and / or a wall. The base and the barrier member together may be considered a flood barrier unit. However, the base may be used without a barrier member as a flood barrier unit. A plurality of flood barrier units is used to create a flood defence barrier. The barrier member may be a fence panel. The base may be connected to one or more fence posts. The fence posts may then each connect to a fence panel. The fence panels and / or posts therefore increase the security of the base and the flood defence barrier. In addition, this results in the fence panels and / or posts being elevated above the surface on which the base is placed and therefore away from the flood water. This reduces the risk of damage to the fence panels and / or posts.

[0037] The barrier member may be connected to the top face at any position. The barrier member may be in the middle of the top face. The barrier member may extend along the entirety of the length of the top face. The barrier member may be connected to a barrier member of an adjacent base. The fence post may be connected to a fence post or a fence panel of an adjacent base. This advantageously increases the security of the barrier and the ease of assembly, as it allows any barrier member, of any size, to be connected to the base(s).

[0038] The barrier member may be positioned on the top face so that there is no space between the bottom of the barrier member and the top face. This advantageously maintains the level of security provided by the barrier member as no additional gaps are formed when it is connected to the base. The covering means may ensure that any gap between the bottom of the barrier member and the top face is covered, in order to seal the two together.

[0039] The barrier member may allow water to pass therethrough. Alternatively, the barrier member may stop water passing therethrough, such that all water must pass through the holes in the base.

[0040] The barrier member may comprise a conventional fence panel. The fence panel may be a security fence panel, for example a delay fence, preferably with a 5-minute delay rating. The fence panel may further comprise security features, for example razor wire or barbed wire on the side of the fence panel and / or along the top of the fence panel.

[0041] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit. The kit comprises a plurality of bases according to the present invention and a plurality of barrier members. The barrier members may be fence panels. The kit may further comprise a plurality of fence posts.

[0042] A kit according to this aspect of the present invention provides an easily transportable means to create a flood defence barrier on-site, using modular parts. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flood defence barrier. The flood defence barrier comprises a plurality of the bases according to the present invention. This advantageously provides a secure flood defence barrier through which flood water can pass, but which is resistant to blockages. This therefore results in a reduced risk of damage to the barrier and lower maintenance requirements.

[0043] The plurality of bases may be directly connected together. Additionally or alternatively, the barrier members on the bases may be connected together. The weight of the base may be sufficient that no connection between adjacent bases is required.

[0044] The bases may be connected to one another using plates and / or bolts. The bolts may be secured by a nut or may be self-locking bolts. This advantageously improves the security of the base and may aid in positioning adjacent bases.

[0045] The flood defence barrier may have a gap of less than 250mm, preferably less than 150mm, between adjacent bases. The flood defence barrier may have no gap between adjacent bases. This advantageously maintains a high level of security along the flood defence barrier, while also preventing large debris from passing between the bases.

[0046] The gap between adjacent bases may be at least partially filled with a material. The material may be a flexible material, such as a putty. The material may be resistant to water. The material may fill the entire gap between adjacent bases. At least partially filling the gap with a material advantageously increases the security of the barrier and reduces the risk of debris getting stuck between the adjacent bases.

[0047] The adjacent bases may be connected in a line, with the side faces of the bases facing one another and the front faces of the bases facing in substantially the same direction. This advantageously stops individual units from tilting and allows easy replacement of a base in cases of damage.

[0048] The adjacent bases may be connected in a staggered line, or placed at a slight angle. This allows the flood defence barrier to curve. The adjacent bases may be placed at different heights, for example if the surface on which they are placed is sloped. The bottom face of at least one of the bases may be positioned at least partially under the level of the surface on which the bases are placed. The bottom face of all bases in the barrier may be positioned at least partially under the level of the surface on which the bases are placed. The secondary front face of at least one, if not all, of the bases may be at least partially positioned under the surface on which the bases are placed. The front face may be positioned so that the bottom edge of the front face is below or in line with the surface on which the bases are placed. The entire secondary front face may therefore be below the surface. At least the front, if not all, of the lower surface of the one or more holes may therefore be below or in line with the surface on which the base is placed. This advantageously helps to secure the bases in place. In addition, this results in the one or more holes in the bases being below or in line with the surface on which the bases are placed so that they can function even if only a low level of flooding has occurred.

[0049] The flood defence barrier may further comprise a plurality of gabions. The plurality of gabions may be arranged to direct flood water towards the front face of the bases. Gabions may be connected to a base and / or a barrier member of the flood defence barrier at one or multiple points along the flood defence barrier. The plurality of gabions may be positioned adjacent to the bases, preferably adjacent to the front faces. No connection between the gabions and the flood defence barrier may exist. Gabions may be flood defence gabions, which may have a waterproof front face.

[0050] The flood defence barrier may further comprise at least one portion formed from a different fence type. The different fence type may be a conventional fence, for example, a fence comprising wire mesh and fence posts. Bases of the present invention may only be used in regions with a high risk of flooding. This advantageously allows a perimeter to have a continuous fence for security, but reduces costs and installation requirements, as the bases discussed above are only installed at high flood risk areas. In addition, this results in a lower maintenance burden as damage or blockages to bases will only occur at specific sections of the flood defence barrier, not along the entire barrier.

[0051] The different fence type may be in line with the section of the flood defence barrier comprising the bases discussed above. The different fence type may be connected to the base and / or the barrier member discussed above. Gabions may be positioned adjacent to both the different fence type and the plurality of bases in the flood defence barrier.

[0052] The flood defence barrier may further comprise one or more gates. The one or more gates may be inspection gates and / or security entry and / or exit points. The flood defence barrier may be formed from an existing fence to which sections comprising the bases discussed above have been included to replace existing fence panels and / or posts, at one or more points along the existing fence. The bases may be positioned directly in front of an existing fence. This advantageously reduces the cost of replacing and installing a new fence system.

[0053] The inclusion and arrangement of different components of the flood defence barrier, for example, the inclusion of gabions and where they are placed in relation to the bases, may be selected based on the results of one or more surveys. The surveys may comprise an analysis of flood risk, the expected height of potential flood water, and / or the expected size of debris in the case of a flood. The selection of the inclusion and arrangement of the flood defence barrier in combination with one or more surveys allows a tailored barrier to be designed and placed, resulting in an optimized flood defence barrier for the specific location.

[0054] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of erecting a flood defence barrier according to the invention. The method comprises the steps of connecting a first barrier member to a first base, connecting a second barrier member to a second base, and connecting the first base to the second base. The method steps may be performed in any order. However, as the bases can be used as a barrier unit alone, i.e. without a barrier member, the method can also comprise the steps of simply connecting a first base to a second base.

[0055] The barrier member may be connected to the base on the top face of the base. The barrier member may comprise a fence panel. The method may further comprise connecting one or more fence posts to the first and / or second base. The method may further comprise connecting the fence posts to a first and / or second fence panel. A fence post on the first base may connect to a fence panel or a fence post on the second base.

[0056] The barrier member may span over two or more adjacent bases. Thus, the first and second barrier members may be the same barrier member. This advantageously allows for barrier members of different lengths to be used with the same sized bases and increases the ease with which a flood defence barrier is erected. The method of erecting a flood defence barrier may further comprise the step of connecting the first barrier member to the second barrier member. This further improves the security and stability of the flood defence barrier.

[0057] The method may further comprise digging into the surface on which a base is to be positioned such that a bottom face would be positioned at least partially below said surface. The method may comprise digging to a depth that is equivalent to the height of the secondary front face of the base, resulting in the secondary front face being partially or entirely underground when installed. The bottom edge of the front face may be at or below said surface level. This advantageously anchors and secures the base. In addition, the filtering means and the one or more holes of the base are preferably at or below said surface level and therefore can perform their functions even in instances of a small amount of flood water. All of the bases in the flood defence barrier may be installed such that at least a portion of the bottom face is positioned below said surface.

[0058] The base may be cast on site at the location at which the flood defence barrier is to be positioned. This advantageously reduces transport costs and means that the base can be tailored to the location. The base may be cast and then transported to the site. This advantageously reduces the amount of equipment required at the site.

[0059] Thus, the present invention provides a simple way of erecting a flood defence barrier that is stable, secure, and resistant to blockages.

[0060] Any of the features discussed above in relation to one of the aspects of the present invention can equally apply to the other aspects of the present invention.

[0061] The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the following figures, which are not intended to be limiting on the scope of protection provided, in which;

[0062] Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a base for a flood defence barrier;

[0063] Figure 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the base for a flood defence barrier;

[0064] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the base for a flood defence barrier; Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the base for a flood defence barrier; and

[0065] Figure 5 illustrates a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a base for a flood defence barrier.

[0066] Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a base 1 for a flood defence barrier of the present invention. The base 1 has a bottom face 2, a front face 3, a secondary front face 4, a side face 5 and a top face 6. The bottom face 2 rests on a surface on which the base 1 is to be placed. The top face 6 is flat and is parallel to the bottom face 2. The front face 3 is intended to face towards the water side of the flood defence barrier and come into contact with the flood water. The rear face (not shown) is on the opposite side of the base 1 to the front face 3. The front face 3 is positioned at an acute angle to the bottom face 2. The secondary front face 4 is perpendicular to the bottom face 2 and parallel to the rear face. Two holes 11 extend through the base 1 from the front face 3 to the rear face.

[0067] The base 1 has two filtering means 7 on the front face 3 that each extend over the entire area of one of the holes 11. Each filtering means 7 extends over the hole 11 and partially over the front face 3. The filtering means extend down to the bottom edge of the front face 3 but not over the secondary front face 4. The filtering means are a mesh to allow water and debris to flow through the holes 11, but to stop larger debris and maintain a level of security of the base and the flood defence barrier. The angle of the front face 3 pushes any debris upwards, along the front face 3 and away from the filtering means 7. This reduces blockage of the filtering means 7 and ensures that water can continue to flow through the holes 11 of the base 1.

[0068] The top face 6 has a fence panel 8 and two fence posts 9 connected to it by connection means. The fence panel 8 is a security fence. Both fence posts are connected directly to the top face 6. A covering means 10 covers the connection between the fence post 9 and the top face 6 (although part of the covering means 10 is cut away in the figure for clarity). The covering means 10 also ensures that any gap between the fence panel 8 and the top face 6 is covered. The coverings means 10 is a concrete beam that is cast onto the top face 6. This improves the security of the flood defence barrier as the connection means cannot be easily accessed.

[0069] Figure 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the base for a flood defence barrier. The base 1 has a rear face 21 and two holes 11 that extend through the base 1 from the front face 3 to the rear face 21. The holes 11 are both square and are the same size and shape. The dimension of each hole 11 at an acute angle to the bottom surface 2 is more than 80% of the corresponding dimension of the front face 3. The height of each hole 11 is more than 70% of the height of the rear face. The combined length of the holes 11 is more than 70% of the length of the base.

[0070] The filtering means 7 are attached to the front face 3 to cover the entirety of the two holes 11. The secondary front face 4 is approximately the same height as the lower section of the rear face 21 below the holes 11. The fence panel 8 and two fence posts 9 are connected to the top face 6 of the base 1 by connection means 23. A covering means 10 in the form of a concrete beam covers the connection means 23 (although part of the covering means 10 is cut away in the figure for clarity). The covering means 10 also ensures that any gap between the fence panel 8 and the top face 6 is covered. This improves the security of the flood defence barrier as the connection means cannot be easily accessed.

[0071] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the first embodiment of the base for a flood defence barrier. The fence panel 8 is a security fence panel, which includes barbed wire 22 along the front side thereof and along the top.

[0072] The filtering means 7 are positioned on top of the front face 3 and can be seen from the side view. The front face 3 is angled at approximately 35 degrees relative to the bottom face 2 of the base 1. The secondary front face 4 extends below the front face 3 and is perpendicular to the bottom face 2 and parallel to the rear face 21. The height of the base 1, i.e. the height of the rear face 21, is approximately half the distance between the secondary front face 4 and the rear face 21. The fence panel 8 is positioned on the top face 6 in the middle thereof, but extending the entire length of the base 1. The bottom edge of the fence panel 8 is contiguous with the top face 6 of the base 1. This increases the security of the base and flood defence barrier as there is no gap between the fence panel and the base.

[0073] Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the first embodiment of the base for a flood defence barrier. The two fence posts 9 are positioned on the base at different distances from the side faces of the base. A covering means 10 in the form of a concrete beam covers the connection between the fence post 9 and the top face 6 (although part of the covering means 10 is cut away in the figure for clarity). The covering means 10 also ensures that any gap between the fence panel 8 and the top face 6 is covered. This improves the security of the base and flood defence barrier, as the connection means cannot be easily accessed. The bottom edge of the fence panel 8 is in line with the top face 6 of the base. This further improves the security of the base and the flood defence barrier. Figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a base 30 for a flood defence barrier. The base 30 has a bottom face, a front face 33, a secondary front face 34, a side face 38 and a top face 36. The base 30 does not have a fence panel attached to the top face 36. The bottom face rests on a surface on which the base 30 is to be placed. The top face 36 is flat and parallel to the bottom face. The front face 33 is intended to face towards the water side of the flood defence barrier and come into contact with the flood water. The rear face (not shown) is on the opposite side of the base 30 to the front face 33. The front face 33 is positioned at an acute angle to the bottom face. The secondary front face 34 is perpendicular to the bottom face and parallel to the rear face. Two holes 31 extend through the base 30 from the front face 33 to the rear face.

[0074] The base 30 has two filtering means 37 on the front face 33 that each extend over the entire area of one of the holes 31. Each filtering means 37 extends over the hole 31 and partially over the front face 33. The filtering means 37 extend down to the bottom edge of the front face 33 but not over the secondary front face 34. The filtering means 37 are a mesh to allow water and sediment to flow through the apertures of the filtering means 37 but to stop larger debris. The size of the apertures of the filtering means 37 results in maintaining a level of security of the base and flood defence barrier.

[0075] The black arrows show the flow of water and debris approaching the base 30 from the direction of the front face 33. The water and small sediment can flow through the apertures of the filtering means 37 and through the two holes 31. The grey arrows represent the water and small sediment flowing out from the holes 31 on the side of the rear face and away from the base 30. Large debris cannot flow through the holes 31 of the base 30. The angle of the front face 33 pushes any debris upwards, along the front face 33 and away from the filtering means 37. This reduces blockage of the filtering means 37 and ensures that water can continue to flow through the holes 31 of the base 30.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A base for a flood defence barrier comprising: a bottom face intended to rest on the surface on which the base is to be placed; a front face intended to contact the flood water and a rear face on the opposite side of the base to the front face, wherein the front face is positioned at an acute angle to the bottom face; one or more holes extending through the base from the front face to the rear face; and a filtering means on the front face that at least partially covers the one or more holes.

2. The base according to Claim 1, comprising two or more holes extending through the base from the front face to the rear face.

3. The base according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the base is formed from concrete, preferably reinforced concrete.

4. The base according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering means extends over the entire area of the one or more holes on the front face, optionally wherein the filtering means comprises a wire mesh.

5. The base according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering means is held in place by portions of the filtering means that extend into apertures on the base.

6. The base according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering means is removable.

7. The base according to any preceding claim, further comprising a top face to which a fence panel may be connected, optionally wherein the top face is flat and / or parallel to the bottom face.

8. The base according to any preceding claim, wherein a dimension of the one or more holes may be more than 50% of the parallel dimension of the front face and / or the rear face, preferably more than 70% and more preferably more than 80%.

9. The base according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more holes are square or rectangular, optionally wherein at least one dimension of the cross-section of the hole is more than 50cm, preferably more than 75cm.

10. The base according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering means comprises apertures having a longest dimension of between 100 and 200mm.

11. The base according to any preceding claim, wherein the front face is at an angle of 20-60°, preferably 30-45° to the bottom face.

12. The base according to any preceding claim, further comprising a secondary front face, below the front face, which is perpendicular to the bottom face.

13. The base according to any preceding claim, further comprising a connecting means for connecting the base to an adjacent base.

14. The base according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more fence panels connected to a top face, optionally wherein the base is connected to one or more fence posts which are then each connected to a fence panel.

15. A kit comprising a plurality of bases according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, a plurality of fence panels and optionally a plurality of fence posts.

16. A flood defence barrier comprising a plurality of the bases according to any one of Claims 1 to 14.

17. The flood defence barrier according to Claim 16, wherein the bases are connected to one another, optionally using plates and / or bolts.

18. The flood defence barrier according to Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein there is a gap of less than 250mm, preferably less than 150mm, between adjacent bases.

19. The flood defence barrier according to Claim 18, wherein the gap is at least partially filled with a material, optionally with a flexible material such as a putty.

20. The flood defence barrier according to any one of Claims 16 to 19, wherein the bottom face of at least one of the bases is positioned at least partially under the level of the surface on which the base is placed.

21. The flood defence barrier according to any one of Claims 16 to 20, further comprising a plurality of gabions, optionally wherein the plurality of gabions are arranged to direct flood water towards the front face of the bases.

22. The flood defence barrier according to any one of Claims 16 to 21, further comprising at least one portion formed from a different fence type.

23. A method of erecting a flood defence barrier according to any one of Claims 16 to 22 comprising the steps of: connecting a first barrier member to a first base; connecting a second barrier member to a second base; connecting the first base to the second base.

24. The method of Claim 23, further comprising the steps of: connecting the first barrier member to the second barrier member; and / or digging into the surface on which a base is to be positioned such that a bottom face is positioned at least partially below said surface.

25. The method of Claim 23 or 24, wherein the base is cast on site at the location at which the flood defence barrier is to be positioned, or wherein the base is cast and then transported to the site.

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