Tytherleigh Scour Protection

This project was part of a larger programme of six scour protection schemes completed for Osborne, on behalf of Network Rail, during the summer and autumn of 2014.

The work involved installing a grout mattress to form scour protection to the piers of the three-span railway bridge on the River Axe, near Tytherleigh, Devon, to prevent future undermining of the pier foundations.

Access to the site was via farmland, which required an aluminium trackway temporary road and a prefabricated steel temporary bridge to enable plant to cross over the watercourse to the opposite riverbank.  A manned safety boat was provided throughout the duration of the works.

Using sheet piles, the river was separated into two discrete cofferdams, which were dewatered in phases to ensure the grout mattresses were installed in dry, safe conditions.  The 6” super-silent diesel pump had a suction inlet filter to minimise any risk of drawing marine life into the pumping system, and as each area was dewatered, fish rescues were carried out.  The whole scheme was subject to Environment Agency permitting.