Case Study
River Diversion Enabling Works in Berkshire
Location
Bracknell
Date
June 2016
Client
MJ Abbott / Berkeley Homes
Stakeholders
Environment Agency

Tasks
- Creation of 100m channel diversion for the River Cut to allow for new vehicular access into development site
- Fish removal using Electric Fishing, including all consents and liaison with Environment Agency
- Lowering of banks to increase flood storage
- Installation of control structure in floodwater retention pool
- Creation of backwater habitat
- Installation of 200m of bio-engineered revetment at key points to limit erosion
- Installation of erosion protection matting at key points throughout the site
Key remarks
- Being able to carry out fish removal in house gave cost and efficiency saving
- We used our experience of river restoration to add extra habitat value to the new river channel
Effects
- Increased flood storage
- Two stage channel to give resilience in times of low flows
- Woody material installed to improve in stream habitat