Work on reinforcing the 7 km long dyke from Kalvebodbroerne to Kongelunden has now begun at West Amager.
The aim is to establish a wider and higher coastal dyke along the low lying West Amager to protect the area against flooding. The project has been made possible at this time because the Kalvebod Environmental Centre at West Amager is carrying out excavations for a large depot for polluted soil immediately North of Kalvebodbroerne.
Considerations about raising the dyke started in 1996/97 when risk analyses undertaken by A/S Øresundsforbindelsen and Ørestadsselskabet revealed the need for improving safety measures against flooding. Facing the prospect of rising water levels and more frequent storms, West Amager Pumpedigelag, which consists of A/S Øresund and Arealudviklingsselskabet (the former Ørestadsselskab), the Danish Road Directorate, Bella Centre, Tårnby and Copenhagen’s municipalities as well as the National Forest and Nature Agency decided to take advantage of this unique opportunity to reinforce the dyke.
750,000 m3 earth
Altogether, the Environmental Centre has to dispose of 750,000 m3 earth which largely equates to the amount of soil needed for the dyke project. This has led to a partnership between A/S Øresund and Kalvebod Environmental Centre under which the Centre will cover all expenses relating to the reinforcement of the dyke. This is possible because the cost of moving the earth to the dyke can be funded by the savings that will be achieved from not having to transport the earth to distant depots.
The reinforced coastal dyke will protect the Øresund link’s structures in low lying areas as well as the urban district of Ørestad, extensive residential areas in Tårnby municipality and the entire nature area at West Amager. The dyke project will also result in major safety improvements to vital infrastructure, new urban areas, private land and the protected nature areas.
Consideration for the environment
The work will be carried out with the greatest possible consideration for the surrounding environment. The marshes on the protected West Amager come under the EU’s Natura 2000 area which requires special protection. The work will be carried out with all due respect for breeding birds and the rare green toad which lives on West Amager. Because of the animals’ breeding periods, no work will be carried out in the enclosed bird protection areas at the dyke between 1 March and 15 July.
When the project is completed in 2012, the existing coastal dyke will have been raised by approximately 2 metres and extended by 2.5 km from Kongelunden to the village of Ullerup.
For further information please visit the National Forest and Nature Agency’s website (only in danish)
