Salix's erosion management products used in works to repair flood defences. Rock Rolls, Coir Rolls, native wetland plants and VMax C350 were all essential ingredients.
Salix’s products used by VBA Consortium on essential and extensive flood bank repair works
Following the widespread flooding resulting from the unprecedented river levels, caused by Storm Desmond, the Environment Agency awarded their WEM framework contractor, VBA, the Asset Refurbishment Programme contract for Cumbria and North Lancashire, March 2016. VBA is a joint venture comprising of VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and Atkins.
Salix’s erosion products were selected to provide the essential combination of erosion protection to ensure the ongoing protection of the flood banks. Rock Rolls and pre-planted Coir Rolls were used at the toe of the bank, these along with the native plants in the Coir Rolls will provide hard wearing erosion protection to the bank. As silt accretes behind the Rock Rolls and Coir Rolls vegetation will establish, the roots will provide further protection to the river bank.
The flood bank was given the additional protection of VMax C350, this was laid over the seeded banks. This product protects the banks from shear stress, so should the area face further severe flooding the matting will ensure soils are protected and the flood bank is maintained. The VMax also benefits the banks by protecting the seeds underneath, warming up the soils and ensuring that the seeds do not get washed away in the rain or from further flooding.
In addition to the erosion protection benefits all these products will also benefit local wildlife. Silts that accrue behind the Rock Rolls provide essential habitats for invertebrates and will allow native vegetation to flourish. Our products have been shown to encourage net gains in biodiversity by both Swansea University and Brighton University.
Products Used
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.
VMax³ C350
VmaxC350 is a permanent Turf Reinforcement for reinforcing soils. The VmaxC350 incorporates a coir fibre layer to provide instant erosion protection, whilst the three-dimensional grid provides significant long-term protection.
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
