Sensitive Ditch Maintenance, Northern Mashes

Cory Environmental

Keystone Habitats was successful in their tender application to conduct annual ditch maintenance of a series of waterbodies to maximise their potential for a recently released Water Vole population.

What did we do?

• Formulated an annual maintenance regime in accordance with the Erith and Belvedere ditches and dykes management plan.
• Composed a thorough Method Statement and Risk Assessment to account for the potential hazards on site.
• Conducted a site visit to discuss management options with the client.
• Ditch clearance and restoration.
• Provision of a safe working zone for all operatives.
• Removal of all waste and fly-tipped material.
• Staged  selective vegetation clearance.
• On-going monitoring of Water Vole population and formulation of a long term management plan.

How did we do it?

• Close communication with the client and other parties involved including the Environment Agency and Council Ecologist.
• Pre-works Water Vole survey to establish the areas in need of maintenance.
• Installation of temporary lane closures to ensure safe working practices.
• Mechanical clearance of fly-tipped material with a mini excavator and dumper to eliminate contact with waste.
• Selective vegetation clearance with hand tools to prevent excessive shading of the watercourse.
• Removal of detritus and excessive vegetation matter.
• Disposal of all waste at the on-site recycling facility.

What were the outcomes?

• The ditches were left in an optimal condition to sustain Water Vole and field signs were subsequently discovered.
• All parties involved were pleased with the result.
• Minimal disturbance was caused to the adjacent highway and the works were completed according to programme, on budget.