Pond Dredging and Major Bank Clearance assignment Summary

A Chronicle of Works at Thetford

The most recent assignment saw our team journey to the outskirts of Thetford for an extensive programme of pond dredging and major bank clearance. The operation demanded both precision and robust machinery, ensuring the client’s property was enhanced, protected from potential flooding, and left in pristine order.

Mobilisation and Site Preparation

The project commenced with the transportation of our 4” industrial road tow pump to site. The crew meticulously set up the pipework, preparing for the primary task of draining the pond. Once the pump had become stable, pond water was efficiently pumped into the client’s meadow, marking the beginning of an involved process.

To facilitate vehicle and machinery access to the pond, an area of dense scrub and small trees was systematically cleared using chainsaws and a compact excavator. This essential groundwork paved the way for the arrival of larger equipment.

Machinery Deployment and Initial Excavation

Key machinery brought to the site included an 8-tonne long reach excavator and a 9-tonne dumper, delivered and offloaded near the client’s wooden gate. Additionally, our specialist 2.5-tonne wide steel tracked excavator was transported for tasks requiring finesse and manoeuvrability.

The client wished the silt and debris to be spread onto her paddock for much needed water and nutrients.

Tree Work

The company’s arborist tackled a willow tree overhanging the pond, felling it to ensure uninhibited access. With the area clear and the pond drained, desilting could commence.

Pond Dredging Operations

The long reach excavator had to have access all around the pond to excavate the silt, reeds and debris, as the pond had a peat and sand bottom.

Whilst we would normally enter the pond with a small excavator, we were unable to do so on this project.

The dumper was loaded with the long reach excavator and then tipped the material around the paddock area.

To finish the phase the long reach excavator regraded, reshaped and compacted the banks, restoring visual harmony and stability to the area.

Upon completion of the dredging the long reach excavator was tracked to the paddock to level out the tipped silt and debris.

River Bank and Tree Clearance

With the pond phase complete, attention turned to the riverbank and further tree clearance. Both excavators were tracked to the riverside at the top of the client’s garden. Using chainsaws and the excavators, the team cleared trees from the riverbank and river, including those that had succumbed over the years.

This enabled the river to flow freely once again.

Smaller branches and brushwood were gathered and disposed of safely on site via a managed bonfire, while larger timber was cut into manageable lengths for removal or future use. The sloped wooded area descending toward the river was excavated and levelled, resulting in a new bank close to the water’s edge—a measure designed to mitigate flood risk for the client’s garden.

Site Finishing and Demobilisation

Once the works were complete, all areas were meticulously tidied, ensuring the property was left in a clean and orderly condition, ready for the client’s gardener to grass seed and plant. Machinery was tracked off site, ready for collection, marking the successful conclusion of the project.

This comprehensive approach not only restored the pond, surrounding land and river, but also reinforced the area’s defences against potential flooding, providing long-term benefits for the client’s property.

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