Erosion Control at Laurel Farm, a Network Rail Site - Salix Solutions

Scour protection provided by Rock Mattresses at a Network Rail site where the river had undercut the river bank, endangering the embankment above.

Rock Rolls covered with seeded soils

Coconet and Rock Mattress erosion control in situ

Rock Mattresses being placed in situ by Spider Excavator

Rock Mattresses being placed in situ by Spider Excavator

Rock Mattresses being placed in situ by Spider Excavator

Rock Mattresses being placed in situ by Spider Excavator

Rock Rolls covered with seeded soils

CocoNet and Rock Mattress erosion control in situ

Rock Mattresses being placed in situ by Spider Excavator

Rock Mattresses being placed in situ by Spider Excavator

Rock Mattresses being placed in situ by Spider Excavator

Rock Mattresses being placed in situ by Spider Excavator

Salix erosion control products selected for Railtrack works

Salix’s soil and river bank erosion control products and Menzi Muck Spider were essential for this work on a Network Rail embankment which was being undercut by the River Biss.

Historic undermining of the toe of the embankment on one side of the track by the river posed a particular problem.

Salix erosion control products selected for Network Rail works. Salix were brought in by CAN Geotechnical working for Balfour Beatty Rail as specialist contractors. CAN’s works at Laurels Farm consisted of the stabilisation of both sides of a 140m length of rail embankment.

Rock Mattresses were an essential component as they are flexible and easy to install.

Our Menzi Muck Spider excavator also made the job easier as the access was particularly awkward.

Salix’s unique mix of products, machinery and expertise meant this tricky job was easily and efficiently executed.

Products Used

Rock Mattress installed Lockwood Reservoir with built in lifting strops

Pre-filled Rock Mattresses

Rock Mattresses 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…

Details

Client: CAN
Location: Trowbridge
Rail, Urban Rivers

Cross Sections

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We invited Salix to re-landscape the watercourse through a design and build project. The works to the watercourse were completed within two weeks of starting on site and, despite a number of prolonged heavy rain events both during and after the works, the pre-established coir rolls and pallets all began putting on new growth within a matter of days providing the watercourse with instant channel vegetation and protection to the toe of the banks. The VMax reinforcement used to stabilise the slopes has also prevented any erosion to the sandy soil beneath and has allowed the rapid establishment of grass which wouldn’t have otherwise been possible.

South Ribble Council

Your staff are always friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and we have always been pleased with the service and the quality of the wetland plants and planting services. Technical knowledge on erosion control is also excellent. Keep up the good work!

Living Water Ecosystems Ltd

We have worked with Salix on a number of projects throughout East Anglia over the last 6 years, and we have always found them to be highly professional and competent. We have used their services as suppliers of quality wetland plants, with a traceable provenance, and as contractors to both supply and plant the wetland plants. In addition we have always relied on the technical advice and knowledge of David Holland, in particular, to help answer queries from our clients regarding wetland planting schemes we have been involved in, this is an added value part of their service, for which we are grateful.

UPM Tilhill

Atkins has worked with Salix on a number of projects, collaborating on design concept, trialling and implementation. We have found their experience valuable in delivering cost effective and environmentally functional solutions.

Atkins

Excellent overall performance – very approachable and offered a good sustainable solutions to rectify a significant erosion scour to the river foreshore without comprising the existing flood defence. Carried out work to agreed timescale and budget. Certainly would value their future input.

Environment Agency, Leeds

We used HydraCX for the first time on a Network Rail project in Chipping Campden. We wanted to establish vegetation growth as quickly as possible on a slope with poor ground conditions without the need for importing topsoil due to possession time constraints. HydraCX provided an excellent growing medium for rapid germination.

Carillion Rail

HydraCX gave an immediate impression the embankment was grassed, making it more visually pleasing to our travelling customers. The rapidity of grass growth was exceptional and it added additional strength to the slope surface.

Network Rail