Adler & Allan help Elisabeth Curtis Centre Riding for the Disabled in Bedford overcome drainage challenges

Published: 25 September 2024

Adler & Allan has successfully completed a major drainage project at Elisabeth Curtis Centre. The project involved repairing and replacing damaged drainage infrastructure to prevent flooding and ensure the continued operation of the vital facility.

Elisabeth Curtis Centre Riding for the Disabled, a member group of the national charity Riding for the Disabled Association, provides therapeutic sessions through riding and non-riding activities for over 50 participants with a disability, including children and adults. The centre has 9 stables and 7 full-time horses, and its operations had been significantly impacted by recurring drainage issues.

Elisabeth Curtis Centre Riding for the Disabled provides therapeutic sessions through riding and non-riding activities for over 50 participants with a disability, including children and adults.

Our expert team used advanced CCTV technology to identify significant damage to the main drainage chamber and sections of the pipeline. The damage was caused by age, tree roots, and general wear and tear.

To address the problem, we removed tree roots, assessed the remaining drainage structure, and replaced a 17-metre section of the pipeline. A new chamber base and riser were also installed.

The project was supported by Tesco, which funded a portion of the work to ensure the riding centre could return to normal operations and continue to support its vital work to its participants.

“The drainage improvements will mean that we can continue to help our participants experience the freedom of movement, gain confidence, build relationships, and achieve individual goals with the use of our special ponies.”

Kyle Palmer

Chair of the Board of Trustees at Elisabeth Curtis Centre

Elisabeth Curtis Centre expressed its gratitude for our expertise and Tesco’s generosity. “We are so grateful for this work,” said Kyle Palmer, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Elisabeth Curtis Centre. “The drainage improvements will mean that we can continue to help our participants experience the freedom of movement, gain confidence, build relationships, and achieve individual goals with the use of our special ponies.”

Mark Sluman, from Adler & Allan, commented, “We are delighted to have been able to use our specialist services to help such a worthwhile charity. Our team worked hard to ensure the project was completed efficiently and effectively.”

Nic Tribble, Head of Petroleum Engineering at Tesco, added, “This was a great opportunity to support a community project, in partnership with Adler & Allan, by solving this daily challenge and making lives just a little better.”

We will continue to monitor the drainage system through regular camera inspections to ensure the remediation work has been successful and to identify any potential issues early on.