Maidenhead Ditch – Cookham
South East Rivers Trust
The Site
The Maidenhead & Fleet ditches and Strand water form part of the Maidenhead Waterways, and are considered tributaries of the River Thames, originating near Cookham, and flowing through Maidenhead they join the Thames south of the M4 through a channel called ‘The Cut’.
The river is heavily vegetated, historically over managed and heavily drawn down by local agriculture, resulting in slow flows and periods where no flow is recorded. Much of the water course runs across the underlying chalk bedrock which can influence its pH levels.
Interesting fact: Railway engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel created 2 sets of substantial tunnels (8nr in total) to carry water from these waterways, under the Great Western Railway.
The Brief
During September 2024, Practicality Brown provided staff and machinery to assist SERT with their works along Strand Water Cookham.
Selected trees had been earmarked for removal, to allow more light into the watercourse and to provide woody material. Once the trees had been felled by our 14-tonne excavator and tree shear, the material was used to create a new 100m long berm by manoeuvring them in channel within Strand Water.
Practicality Brown Services
- Practicality Brown provided our 14t Komatsu excavator equipped with tree shears & timber grab.
- The machine was also provided with a FISA-FMO qualified operator to undertake the felling of the trees.
- Supply and installation of a small compound area for plant stabling.
- Provided labour and support to the Trust’s wetland creation work, in which a new online wetland was created with dead wood being used as habitat & natural flood management debris.
The Challenges
- Very limited timescales to undertake and complete the works.
- Works took place under Ecological Watching brief due to the tree removal being undertaken towards the end of nesting bird season.
- Delivery and collection of 14t excavator on a busy road requiring experienced and knowledgeable traffic marshals.
- Working alongside, and in collaboration with the client and other contractors.
Outcome
By using Practicality Brown, the Southeast Rivers Trust were able to bring down and reuse a large number of trees, increasing light to the heavily shaded channel as well as providing enough material for reuse within the in-channel berms. This operation would have far longer if undertaken by a tree climbing team.
The use of our timber grab enabled the trust to successfully install the in-channel berms whilst the machine held the outer material in place, reducing the health & safety risks associated with large wooden debris being placed in channel.
The wetland is now complete and holding water, and as it develops will assist with improving the biodiversity of the area helping to gain more engagement within local community, as well as providing essential flood water attenuation.
See more case studies from the Practicality Brown Habitats Team.