Site: Greeberfields, Skipton
Date: January – February 2020
Value: £35k
Introduction
The Rothen Group were asked by Canal & River Trust, Kier & JJF to assist with a bank slippage along the canal in Skipton. A 30m stretch of canal bank had slipped into the canal causing an obstruction and blocking the canal to navigation. The project involved:
Understanding access restrictions
Time constraints
Clearing the obstruction
Creating a stable stone foundation
Installing the gabion baskets
Finishing the site & clearing the site compound
The Project
Using one of our marine ready excavators with a long reach arm and clamshell, the obstruction could be removed, before a new stone foundation was put in place ready for construction of the new bank. Through undertaking the works with a clamshell grab, there was no need to dewater the canal, not only saving time & cost but also reducing the impact on fish stocks.
This took the form of gabion baskets which had to be stacked at a slight angle, before being filled & tied together to create a solid bank. Our experienced team worked to get this form of erosion control in place effectively and timely to see the canal opened earlier than anticipated. This form of bank protection can provide shelter for fish fry & invertebrates below the water & a range of insects, animals & plants above the water which is ideal for this more rural setting.