Background

In light of weather reports in 2014 predicting one of the wettest winters in 30 years and threat of flooding, the EA issued flood alerts across the country including a serious warning in the South West in early November 2014.  The EA began investing more significantly in drainage and flood protection, including essential maintenance of inland watercourses.

Scope of Works

WM Plant Hire as part of the EA weed cutting programme had to remove vegetation and dredge several rivers across Somerset.

Solution

An 18m reach machine, fitted with a specialist weed cutting basket was used so that vegetation could be effectively cut and removed from the river channels to ensure clear passage of water.

The use of WM Plant Hire's specialist plant was key to the success of the project, working in some challenging condiitions.  The highly skilled operators were able to mitigate safety risks and environmental impacts by working quickly and efficiently from a safe distance, with specialist attachments and low ground pressure track pads on the machine, avoiding the need for more than one type of machine to complete the job.