Waterways

Green Engineering – River Bank Protection

Posted on by John Davison

Emerald Tree Specialists Ltd were sub-contracted to deliver and manage a green/soft engineering solution of river bank protection, on the River Cherwell Banbury Oxfordshire.

Working with our client TWS and within Thames Water, Environment Agency guidelines, Emerald Tree Specialists Ltd selectively felled trees and cut back vegetation to improve light penetration onto the bank side. The objective being that the improved light penetration will promote reed and bank side plant growth whilst maintaining the established rooted structure.

Before the project of works commenced, installation and design meetings where held with all parties and an agreed method of works and installation was approved.

The green/soft engineering solution consisted of several components. Hazel hurdles and wooden fixing posts where required for reinforcement, coir installation, reed embedded net pallets, chestnut steaks and the recycled brash from the tree and vegetation clearance to act as in fill.

The sections of river bank within the project required preparation, some of which required the use of a 360° tracked excavator operated by Emerald Tree Specialists Ltd. However, the majority of the bank preparation was carried out manually due to the inaccessibility of the working area, but in keeping with the green/soft engineering concept.

The installation of the river bank protection, green/soft engineering components where carried out manually and very successfully in a challenging working environment by the skilled operatives of Emerald Tree Specialists Ltd.

The project was delivered on schedule and within budget as agreed with our clients.

Farmoor Reservoir Water Course

Posted on by John Davison

Emerald Tree Specialists Ltd were sub-contracted and tasked to carry out the specialist project of river bank clearance to facilitate and project manage the dredging and de-silting of the water course; Filchampstead Brook, Oxfordshire which is part of the boundary of Farmoor Reservoir.

The objectives of this project were to improve the flow of the water course, decreasing the risk of flooding, with the emphasis on improving the biodiversity of the river bank and water course environment.

Working with Thames Water and the Environment Agency, the clearance of bank side trees, woody vegetation and shrubs had to be done sympathetically, to ensure the minimum disruption to the surrounding flora and fauna. However, the work had to be efficient and effective to facilitate the project.

The project covered a 3 kilometre section of water course and access was very difficult with a large amount of clearance work required. To carry out and fulfil the objectives of the project as required by the client, Emerald Tree specialists Ltd provided the equipment and skilled personnel to ensure the completed project was delivered in the assigned time-scale.