Wet civil engineering firm Land & Water has won a contract with the Environment Agency to complete dredging works in Kent and South London (KSL).
With mobilisation due to start in late August and dredging works planned for September, Land & Water will be working downstream of Sluice Weir on the River Medway in Kent to Branbridges Road.
The project aims to remove accumulated fluvial deposits from within the open sections of the River to allow the EA to meet its obligations in ensuring the waterway remains navigable to boats and floating craft.
Using a range of specialist machinery including a knock down pontoon mounted with a long reach excavator, dredged materials will be transferred to Land & Water’s Habitat Creation Scheme at Rainham Marshes to be re-used in the creation of wetlands to form valuable habitat, and increase biodiversity, along the East London Corridor.
Commenting the latest news, Tom Cartmel , Land & Water’s Project Manager, said: “As part of our ongoing, collaborative relationship with the EA, we are pleased to be involved in the KSL dredging packages which will allow us to continue maintaining and improving the UK’s waterways.”
“As a team we are using our range of expertise to work within an area that can come up against a number of challenges. The River Medway is quite reactive to heavy rainfall and the section we are working in can run quite fast.”
“With there also being limited bank access, it is necessary for all works to be undertaken from the channel itself. Land & Water is therefore using its dynamic skillset to ensure works can be completed safely but to optimum performance,” concluded Cartmel.