All of our news from the last few months

Woodhall, Lincolnshire  

Construction has commenced at Woodhall Estate, where the Phase 3 designs are being brought to life. Ground was broken in late September, with construction being completed in early November. cbec is proud to be undertaking this exciting project with our partners Salix RW and Affinity Water and we will be bringing further updates as the project commences via our Social Media accounts.

Kirkland Dam Removal, The River Leven, Fife

The Kirkland Dam removal has been all go!  The removal of the dam is all part of the ongoing work to restore the River Leven.  This 'nature like' rock ramp that we designed will make it much easier for fish to move upstream and downstream under a wider range of river flows.  The installed rocks were locally sourced and cleaned by McGowans Ltd and will be far less visible when the vegetation grows back over the coming years, providing shade for fish and invertebrates.  For more information on the Leven Restoration Program please go here

Our artist's impression of the finished site

Crew Hydropower Project

We spent some time in the Highlands a few weeks ago visiting multiple Run-of-River hydropower schemes. These visits provided vital knowledge for our ongoing project related to best-practice sediment management at hydropower impoundments. Hydropower plays an important role in supporting other renewable energy sources such as fast-growing solar and wind power. It contributes to development by bringing electricity, industry, and commerce to communities.

Cattie Burn, Aberdeenshire

Our restoration design for the Cattie Burn has now been constructed. The existing channel of the burn was straightened and incised, resulting in a homogeneous channel that was disconnected from the surrounding floodplain. The channel has been remeandered, ensuring it is better connected to the surrounding floodplain and has a more natural form. The bed material from the existing channel has been transferred to the new channel and large wood structures have been installed to promote evolution of channel form and in-channel habitat, ensuring that the river and floodplain will continue to evolve over time in response to current catchment conditions. This work was undertaken by the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board and cbec in partnership with Ballogie Estate and was funded by the Nature Restoration Fund.

Site before work, images courtesy of the Ballogie Estate 

The Gadder, Norfolk

Over the summer the cbec team have been working hard with Salix RW, on behalf of our framework partners Anglian Water and Binnies UK Ltd, to help restore a section of the River Gadder at Oxburgh Hall, a National Trust owned property in Norfolk. The Gadder design involved re-meandering to bypass an historic culvert that was impounding the river in addition to channel narrowing and gravel augmentation.

The aim of this work was to improve the channel for low flows, restoring natural flow conditions and geomorphic processes. The works began in early July and were completed in August. While the design will take time to ‘bed in’ positive impacts were seen almost immediately with improved flow conditions acting to flush silt from the channel to reveal natural chalk substrate.

Affinity Water, Hertfordshire

The team gear up to assist Affinity Water with identifying river restoration opportunities for the next Asset Management Plan period (AMP8). The Southern Team Geomorphologist’s have been busy out and about conducting fluvial audits for the Rivers Hiz, Oughton and Rib in Hertfordshire. We are looking forward to working with key stakeholders, landowners, and Affinity Water to prioritise river restoration projects for restoration Chalk Streams in Hertfordshire!

New Staff Members

Cockshut, Landscape Design Winner  

cbec is  proud to announce that the Cockshut project which was completed at the end of last summer has been announced as a the winner of the Landscape Design Winner at the South Downs Design Awards.

The Cockshut was an exciting project to be involved in and it is great to see the site being widely appreciated by the Lewes community. Thanks again to our delivery partners at Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, Lewes District Council, and Ebsford Environmental.

Scotland the Big Picture Conference 2024 

We were very proud to be one of the official sponsors of the Scotland: The Big Picture Conference 2024 and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there!  For more information about this fantastic event and it's organisers please go here

Picture courtesy of Trees for Life

First Minister visits the Leven, Fife

We were delighted to meet Scotland's First Minster, John Swinney, when he came to the Levenmouth after his visit to launch the rail link there. He also visited the Fife Renewables Innovation Centre where he saw the work we've all done to improve the Leven! A massive thanks to all involved! 

Biggar Community Event

At the end of August cbec were involved in a community consultation event in the town of Biggar in South Lanarkshire. The aim of the drop in event was to update the local community on design proposals for restoring two stretches of the Biggar Water and to hear their views and listen to any concerns about the proposed works. Overall it was a really positive event with the community generally very supportive of the designs that cbec have developed. Our posters were well received and helped explain how restoring the Biggar Water will improve local habitats, biodiversity and public amenity in the area. The accessible greenspace will be created for the benefit of the local community and visitors to the town of Biggar. For more information please go here

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