Rockbourne Erosion Protection

Rockbourne Erosion Protection

After consultation with Rockbourne Parish Council, the Local Rivers Trust and the Highways Agency, Ecolibrium were assigned to undertake bank erosion repairs in the centre of Rockbourne village on the Sweatsford water. The Winterbourne had experienced significant bank erosion over the course of a number of years resulting in some areas being dangerously close to undercutting the main road through the village. Immediate action was required to prevent any further erosion from occurring and to stabilise the existing bank.

What did we do?

1.     Constructed 25 metres worth of low -level marginal shelf using 100% natural bio-degradable products.

2.     Imported over twenty tonnes of chalk and top soil.

3.     Seeded the new bankside with a local mix of wildflower and grasses.

How did we do it?

1.     In accordance with the Environment Agency’s permit license, the new bank line was carefully marked out using chestnut stakes to prevent any loss of channel capacity and to avoid any constraints being placed upon the winterbourne.

2.     Hazel faggots and a natural woven material were secured in place to form the toe of the newly constructed river bank.

3.     Light bio fuelled machinery was used to import over twenty tonnes of aggregates and shape the new River Bank.

4.     A local mix of wildflower and grass seed was sowed to help stabilise the new bankside.

What were the outcomes?

1.     The project was delivered using green engineering techniques and 100% natural products.

2.     The project was completed ahead of schedule and to a high standard.

3.     The newly formed bank is now secure and has prevented any potential undercutting of the road.

4.     A local mix of wildflowers and grasses will provide a haven for invertebrate and insect life.

5.     The Rivers trust and the local primary school will be planting marginal plug plants to help further strengthen and stabilise the lower bank and provide habitat for a range of wildlife species. In doing so they will learn about river processes, wildlife and plant identification skills.