INTRODUCTION. RML Bio-engineering aims to promote soft engineering by: Cost effective solutions Rapid installation

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1 INTRODUCTION RML Bio-engineering aims to promote soft engineering by: Cost effective solutions Rapid installation Long lasting and durable solutions Using sustainable materials Willow of local provenance where possible Promoting biodiversity Working towards reducing carbon footprints RML Bio-engineering Ltd is one of the UK s leading specialists in soft engineering solutions for erosion control and bank stabilisation. RML Bio- Engineering ghas worked on all types of stabilisation projects to prevent and correct erosion problems within various environments including both urban and rural areas, rivers, canals and coastal sites. RML Bio-Engineering has a range of staff comprising experienced engineers, landscape managers, environmental scientists, arboriculturalists, landscape architects, surveyors, ecologists and CAD designers; all of whom work together to provide the most sustainable and cost effective solutions. RML Bio-engineering was established by Ivor Richards OBE, who has over 40 years of experience in the world of engineering and environmental consultancy. RML Bio-engineering has a long established team of experienced consultants who provide support to clients in preliminary works and surveys, design, construction, maintenance and post-construction monitoring. RML Bio-engineering can provide services to suit the clients requirements from preliminary surveys to design and build and aftercare and management of sites.

2 SERVICES Preliminary Surveys RML Bio-engineering s arboriculturalists can conduct preliminary tree surveys in order to undertake risk assessments to assess the condition and status of existing trees and woodlands, then to prescribe appropriate measures which can be applied to the project. Our licensed ecologists are able to find solutions to habitat enhancement and mitigation for a range of protected species, working closely with statutory bodies. Trained Botanists provide appropriate advice on protected plants and necessary mitigation if needed in consultation with appropriate bodies. Our Environmental Scientists are able to find causes of erosion and design solutions to erosion problems working alongside our engineers and other members of the team. RML Bio-engineering s g landscape managers are also able to offer the full range of solutions to eradicate Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed. Design Our experienced surveyors are able to work with our CAD designers and landscape architects at the design stage. The team works together with engineers, environmental scientists, i ecologists and arboriculturalists li in order to provide a complete solution to erosion issues. All bioengineering projects are fully designed by a qualified civil engineer, working alongside arboriculturalists, ecologists and landscape managers. Construction As a design and build firm, our experienced team can implement the design on site to provide full installation using a range of bio-engineering techniques. We liaise with site managers and statutory bodies to provide a complete service and solution. Maintenance RML Bio-Engineering offer a maintenance package to ensure the client gets the most out of their soft engineering solution. Invasive species and protection from animal damage can form part of the maintenance and aftercare programme and has proven very successful in the past. Post- Monitoring Our team can provide post-project monitoring services. These are tailored to the clients needs and can be from monitoring i the growth of willow spiling to measuring improvements in biodiversity.

3 RESEARCH To maintain our position at the forefront of bioengineering, RML Bio-engineering are undertaking pioneering research into the growth and development of willows. We have set up the willow research centre in North Wales, where our trials are based. Here our researchers are evaluating different species of willow and are determining their performance under different environmental conditions. Currently, areas of research include: Substrate trials Management trials Salt trials Load testing willow spiling Habitat surveys Our willow research centre at Llysfasi College, North Wales LITERATURE RML have been at the forefront of soil bioengineering techniques for over 25 years The Use of Vegetation in Civil Engineering was a pioneering text by N.J. Coppin & I.G. Richards, published in The specialised skill of bioengineering combines an understanding of engineering principles with a knowledge of vegetation and its interaction with soil, water and climate. The book explains the different functional engineering effects of vegetation. Investigating the root development within the research trials coordinators and editors N.J. Coppin & I.G. Richards

4 RIVER BANK EROSION KyreBrook Tenbury Wells Marches Housing Association March 2009 An eroding river bank adjacent to a housing estate with a footpath along the top of the slope became unstable and was slumping into the watercourse, putting the path and adjacent properties at risk. RML bio-engineering used gabion baskets combined with a soft engineering approach, utilising live brush layering to stabilise the bank. This is rapidly greening up and rooting to prevent further problems of slippage affecting the path and adjacent properties. Live willow brush layering is showing 99% survival and rooting. Collapsing river bank February 2009 Site nears completion following installation of gabions coir matting and live willow brush layering April 2009 Live willow brush layers growing on site June 2009

5 RIVER EROSION Ruthin Road Outlet An urban site in Wrexham Wrexham Borough Council 2007 The bank had failed at a point on the River Gwenfro, close to council buildings, where scouring had under-cut the bank. Installation works, April 2007 RML bio-engineering designed and restored the slope using spiling and rock rolls. Willows of local provenance were used in construction of the spiling. Reports of water vole and otter presence had influenced the client to use a bio-engineered solution. Two months of growth, June 2007

6 ROADSIDE EROSION Tilston, Nantwich, Cheshire Cheshire County Council Before construction, February Combination of events, which included erosion brought on by prolonged periods of heavy rain, badger activity and falling trees. This caused a landslip, blocking the road below. An integrated approach was required. Our ecologists, who were working under licence included exclusion fencing in the design, to prevent badgers and rabbits from entering. The slope was stabilised using a combination of willow spiling, brush and willow stake layering, rock rolls and geotextiles. 3 months after installation, June months after installation, Oct 2007

7 URBAN EROSION Rhyl, drainage ditch An urban site within the town of Rhyl Dawnus Construction/ Denbighshire County Council During construction, March The footpath adjacent to the drainage channel was subsiding due to the unstable banks. Willow spiling, gabions and rock rolls were used to repair damage to banks and prevent further collapse. Existing marginal plant species were replanted on site to stabilise banks at the water-line and maintain site bio-diversity. 3 months after installation, June months after installation, August 2007

8 COASTAL EROSION Penmaen Bach A55 North Wales Coast NEWTRA Installation of rock netting and willow stakes, March Erosion of a slope above a dual carriageway was leading to rock falls onto the road in an exposed coastal location. RML Bio-engineering coppiced the existing vegetation and stabilised the slope by the installation of rock netting. Methods using live willow collected on site along with other salt and drought tolerant species were applied to the project. Vegetation established concealing the rock netting, May 2007 Native willow growing on bare rock, May 2007

9 COASTAL EROSION Coastal erosion, North Wales Cycle Path Llandulas Conwy County Council Initial extent of erosion, autumn Coastal erosion of the bank and a particularly heavy period of rainfall. Basal erosion from tidal action from below the bank and higher surface run off rates from the road above caused a mud slide and the bank to collapse. RML Bio-engineering provided a design solution using six terraces of willow spiling. Construction, January 2005 Extent of growth, July 2007

10 RIVER EROSION River Usk Outfall, Nr. Llancayo Monmouthshire Monmouth County Council Setting out for the job begins, March Discharge from an outfall pipe from the road above eroded the bank below. These created an erosion gulley in the River bank which was part of the River Usk SSSI. RML Bio-engineering i i employed an integrated approach using a boulder apron at the base of the river bank and willow spiling to support the upper slope. Willows from on-site and nearby local sources where used in the works in addition to specially selected willows from elsewhere. A new outfall pipe was also installed. The site showing signs of establishing, July 2006 The site in its second growing season, August 2007

11 CANAL EROSION Dilham Staithe Canal Norfolk Norfolk County Council 2004 The canal bank was adjacent to a road which ran along the top of the slope. The sheet piling previously installed along the canal bank became unstable and began to fail slumping into the canal. The piles were a hazard to users of the canal. RML bio-engineering used a soft engineering approach. Willow spilling stabilised the canal bank, preventing further slippage for the road above and supporting the highway. Site clearance following the collapse of the sheet piling Installation of willow spiling to create terraces Canal bank 5 months after completion