Water Vole Habitat Works - Salix Solutions

Salix successfully tendered for a pilot project to improve marginal vegetation along the River Wandle. The project formed part of a wider scheme to reintroduce water vole to the river.

water vole habitat works

Water vole habitat works

channel-1-year-after-restoration

Water vole habitat works

Salix successfully tendered for a pilot project to improve marginal vegetation along the River Wandle. The project formed part of a wider scheme to reintroduce water vole to the river.

Work commenced along the main channel and also a smaller connected side channel. Bank edges were re-profiled with excavated berms and ledges created.

Salix installed our own pre-established C oir Rolls, Coir Pallets, brushwood and plug planting using UK native wetland planting from Salix’s in-house nurseries in Norfolk.

The reason for using pre-established coir was to speed up the rate of vegetation establishment, thus allowing reintroduction of water vole to take place quicker. Due to cost considerations, some areas were just plug planted.

Marginal vegetation has created excellent habitat for water vole. From being classed as a sewer in the 1960’s, the River Wandle is now recognised amongst the 10 most improved rivers in Britain.

Products Used

Selection Of Unplanted and Pre-Established 200mm and 300mm Coir Rolls

Coir Rolls

Coir Rolls are an organic living revetment that provide erosion control and rapid vegetation establishment. Salix have developed a range of specific species mixes for use in all types of water bodies.

Purple Loosestrife flowering within pre-established coir pallets at Salix nursery

Coir Pallets

Salix produce a wide range of pre-established coir pallets planted with high quality native plant species. Coir pallets are composed from coir fibre which is a sustainable waste product from the husk of the coconut shell.

Brushwood Faggots

Brushwood faggot/fascine

Salix produce a range of brushwood faggots (fascines) for use in rivers, canals and lakes. We use brushwood from sustainable sources and can supply various timber types including Ash, Hazel and Willow.

Details

Client: London Wildlife Trust
Location: London
Reedbeds & Wetlands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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