Posted on Oct 30, 2015

Planting to help flood defences in Somerset

We worked with our client, Team Van Oord, to facilitate flood defence works at Congresbury Yeo. The £7.5m scheme involves the raising and widening of the existing flood defences. Three new sections of bank are being constructed, and the existing banks topped up to provide a 1 in 75 year flood defence protection to properties in Wester-super-Mare, Worle and Kingston Seymour.

Following our previous involvement on site, Thomson Habitats were asked to carry out hedgerow planting works. The works consisted of planting and re-instating hedgerows that had previously been cleared in order to ensure no loss of biodiversity.

The works involved significant constraints, including that all the planting works had to be completed by the 31st of October – the start of the wintering bird season.

Following careful planning with Team Van Oord, Thomson mobilised an eight man planting gang to site. Four km of native-mixed species hedgerow were planted in eight days. Despite the sometimes challenging weather and ground conditions, we have been able to complete the works within the deadline and with minimal disturbance to the ground.

“We gave Thomson Habitats a highly challenging brief. From the off-set, Thomson Habitats carefully planned the works with us and developed an understanding of our project deadlines. Thomson have delivered the hedgerow planting two days ahead of programme, with no compromise on quality or safety. They’ve done an outstanding job.”

Construction Manager, Kier Construction

Interested in finding out more about all things Thomson environmental consultants? Sign up to receive all our communications.










    Want the latest news straight to your inbox? Sign up now for our newsletter

    We can keep you informed and up to date with all the latest news at Thomson environmental consultants. 










      Knowledge Hub Planting to help flood defences in Somerset