JPR Environmental employs a variety of systems using natural materials to combat bank erosion on rivers, lakes and canals and to prevent and control flooding. We have undertaken a wide range of both large and small erosion control projects from 500m of bank reprofiling on the Basingstoke canal to 10m lengths of collapsed riverbank in private gardens.

We use willow, hazel, rock and stone, coir rolls and matting either individually or in combination to solve erosion problems. Collectively these are known as ‘soft’ engineering and are proven to be as effective as ‘hard’ engineering, such as sheet piling, but far less costly both environmentally and financially.

Using natural materials has a number of significant advantages including:

Reducing the impact of works we undertake means that the recovery time is much faster for the areas worked on. After a single growing season it is often difficult to see that work has been carried out other than the new bank profile.

Willow spiling

A popular method of bank stabilisation is willow spiling. This involves weaving live willow rods between live willow stakes set into the bank at regular intervals to create retaining walls up to a metre high. The willow grows a dense root mat to bind the bank and make it stronger so it can withstand erosion from wave action. For banks taller than a metre we install spiling in tiers to develop the height.

Try our checklist to find out if willow spiling is for you. For further information about willow, please visit our willow website.
For other sites where there are multiple causes of erosion and that require a tailored solution, we combine materials such as rock and stone, geotextile, coir and wood to create the most effective stabilisation.