Different Options for Bank Protection in Greenford Green, London

The Project

• Input into design of the bank protection required & finish

• Liaising with Canal & River Trust engineers and clients to approve design

• Sourcing specialist suppliers for one-off copings with exacting finishes (over 12 different finishes were supplied for analysis and sampling)

• Undertaking piling works including all marine plant and experienced team

• Laying copings to landscape architect specification

Following the closure of two large factories in the area, the industrial land adjacent to the Grand Union Canal in South Ealing stood derelict. Its proximity to the City of London meant the site held huge redevelopment potential, and it was selected to be revitalised. Spanning over 26 acres, the new Greenford Green development would consist of 1,965 residential units, shops, offices, leisure facilities and a two-form entry primary school and nursery. Alongside these ambitious plans, the Grand Union Canal, which ran through the centre of the site, would be the basis of a ‘green corridor’ and open space for the large redevelopment works. The integrity of the existing canal wall needed to be stabilised and strengthened in order to make this possible. The bank protection options we explored were:

PILING BACK TIED WITH APPROX. 300MM ABOVE WATER

We install a range of piling using this back tied method. The height of freeboard (pile seen above water level) varies for each site, dependent upon the requirements of the bank, structural integrity, aesthetics, CRT requirements etc. The length of sheets varies from 1.2m to 4m long piles which are back tied every 3rd pile with an anchor pile & tie rod or every 6th pile. The piles can then be backfilled with a range of substrates from topsoil/wildflowers to concrete or stone, dependent upon the application required.

PILING BACK TIED TO WATERLEVEL AND BRICKWORK ABOVE

As with the above option in this instance the piles are driven to water level and then a concrete backfill used to create a footing for a brick wall above. The type of bricks used, and height needed can be altered according to the clients specification.

ROCK ROLLS & COIR ROLLS

There are a huge range of options for installing these together or separately. They are often more ecologically friendly as they create pockets for wildlife to utilise, especially if you use pre planted coir rolls. These systems can be used with or without piling and with or without a membrane called nicospan.