River Brue Scour Protection

Water & Scour

Brief Description

The site is situated on the WEY line approximately 2.5km Northeast of Castle Cary and 500m South of Wyke Champflower. The River Brue flows along the toe of the upside embankment which had been causing significant scour into the toe for approximately 85 yards, undercutting large trees that could cause them to fall, and subsequently leading to a rapid deterioration of the embankment and encroachment of the track support zone.

The scour repair and resilience measures were required to protect the earthwork from further effects of the scour.

CML provided a full site set up including a trackway matting compound area and required welfare for the project, and undertook the installation of the physical works including quality plans and checks.

Project Overview

De-vegetation and removal of trees from the face of the embankment was undertaken, under line blockage where required, keeping the root systems alive to ensure stabilisation of the bank. The scour pockets were packed with well graded material and the angle of the bank was slackened. Rock rolls were installed using a long reach excavator under an ALO system along the toe and up the bank, secured using steath ground anchors for the top two rows, and wooden timber stakes at the toe. Rock bags were placed into the bank on the upstream end of the works to reduce the risk of outflanking or scour behind the permanent works.

Stakeholder Management

Due to the work taking place within a main river, a Flood Risk Activity Permit was required from the Environment Agency. Maintaining a good relationship with the landowner was key to the success of the project, as access was required onto third party land to complete the works.

Challenges

During the works, a small section of Himalayan Balsam was identified within the footprint of the works. Our experienced ecologists were on hand to help advise of a suitable methodolgy to ensure that the highly invasive species was not spread.

Due to the location of the works, at the toe of an embankment on the far side of a main river, access was very challenging, Robust planning including correct selection of machinery and detailed ALO planning was required. With our in house temporary works design for a pedestrian access ramp, and our skilled workforce trained in working within water, the team effort resulted in a successful delivery.

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