As well as completing large scale projects around the country from wetland restoration to natural flood management, we also have teams that support domestic customers with problems such as erosion control and soft engineering where their gardens and grounds include rivers and watercourses.
Recently, we were requested to attend a property in Herefordshire where a stream at the bottom of a customer’s grounds was causing erosion of the bank and undermining the upper levels of the gardens. Access was a challenge, with steep slopes leading to the affected area, and our initial site survey flagged this as a challenge… but we thrive on challenges and (more importantly) finding solutions that mean we can deliver for our customers in the simplest way.
First up was identifying the best course of action for the customer to achieve their aims – protecting their gardens, reinforcing the river banks and preventing further erosion. Given the scale of the project and the extent of the erosion, full restoration wasn’t required, and the decision was to deploy rock rolls to establish the control required and maintain the look and feel of the setting.
Deciding on the means of delivering the project was one thing. Accessing the area was a whole other challenge, but one that the team’s ingenuity dealt with in a straightforward manner. Accessing the area, down the steep slopes, on foot was simple enough, but transferring the equipment and materials where they were needed was not as straightforward.
Our team stepped up to the challenge, and rigged a secure pulley and winch system to safely lower the materials and tools to the river bank, adhering to all safety requirements and avoiding the need for costly crane hire and lifting equipment, costs which would have to be borne by the customer.
At JPR, we always look after our customers’ best interests, and will seek to identify how projects can be delivered safely, and in the most cost-effective manner for the end user. Domestic projects often involve more limited access through gardens, or with limited width access for machinery through side gates or around houses. Working in conjunction with our customers and our operations team, our site teams will always deliver a project, complying with all relevant regulations, and ensuring our teams leave our customers happy and secure in a job well done.
If you have a river bank that needs some attention, maybe you should give us a call – these things are inevitably easier to fix fi they are dealt with sooner rather than later.