Works were required to repair an eroding railway embankment adjacent to the river. This resulted in the embankment encroaching into the river, causing erosion problems on the opposite bank belonging to a local farmer.
Works were required to repair an eroding railway embankment adjacent to the river. This resulted in the embankment encroaching into the river, causing erosion problems on the opposite bank belonging to a local farmer.
Difficult site access created problems for using large blockstone. Salix replaced part of the blockstone armouring with VMax P550.
The P550 is the highest performing composite Turf Reinforcement Mat (TRM) in the UK. Compared to blockstone armouring it is also a more environmentally sustainable, cost effective solution that was easier to install. It also blended in better with the environment.
Anchor trenches were dug at the toe and the top of the slope to ensure the P550 was not washed away during the winter floods.
Under Salix supervision, Carillion Rail dug the trenches and formed the slope ready for Salix site operatives to seed the area with a specialist river mix and manually install the P550. The area was also over planted with some wetland plants.
The works were carried out at the end of October, which meant that the P550 remained only partially vegetated throughout the winter months of frequent flooding. By the end of the following Spring, there was no soil erosion and a good rate of vegetation establishment.
Products Used
Pre-filled Rock Roll
Rock Rolls are a robust and permanent revetment for use around reservoirs, shorelines, lake edges, streams and river banks. They are cost-effective revetments that are suitable alternatives to rock rip rap and gabions in many scour applications.
Native Plants
Salix are the UK’s largest grower of native wetland and wildflowering plants in the UK – perfect for use in green infrastructure, peatland restoration, wetland restoration and creation and other habitat projects In response to demand for a wider range of species for specific habitat types we have developed a range of plug grown species for three key habitats: Salt marsh, Sand dunes & Moorlands. Wetland Plants Salt Marsh Moorlands Sand Dunes Salix are the largest grower of native wetland plants in the UK. Salix wetland nurseries have been designed and built specifically for commercially growing native wetland plants for supply
VMax³ P550
VMax³ P550 is composed of a permanent, ultra-high-strength, three-dimensional matting structure incorporated with a permanent 100% polypropylene fibre matrix.
Details
Client: Carillion Rail for Network Rail
Location: Abergwydol, Mid Wales
High Energy Rivers, Rail, Rivers & Water Courses
