Bank revetment employing willow spiling at Anglia University

Erosion control project

Client Anglia Ruskin University

2007

As part of the redevelopment and expansion of the Chelmsford campus, the Anglia Ruskin University took responsibility for a number of public footpaths that crossed the site. A 40m stretch of one path alongside the River Chelmer on the Rivermead Campus was found to be slipping due to undercutting erosion at the base of the adjacent bank. Willow spiling was specified to secure the base with backfilling to re-establish the bank profile. The works had to be undertaken in an area open to the public and with no disruption to the busy footpath.

JPR Environmental cleared the affected area and dug out the bank to provide a horizontal base and vertical surface to construct the willow wall against. We installed 1m high spiling along the 40m length to the required profile. All materials were carried to the site as there was no vehicular access and the works did not obstruct the footpath at any time. Members of the public were very interested in the nature of the works being carried out and were pleased that a natural solution was being implemented. From their responses, it would seem that the choice of spiling garnered highly positive publicity for the University.

Erosion at the base of the bank of the River Chelmer

Installing stakes to create woven willow wall