Temple Cloud – Weir Removal

The Site

Temple Cloud is a small village lying to the south of Bristol. The first record of village appears in the mid-1200s and lies within the Chew Valley.

The Cam brook flows to the south of the village which is a small river that rises near Hinton Blewitt and transverses through other somerset villages of Cameley, Camerton and Dunkerton before joining the Wellow Brook at Midford. The river also runs through the Long Dole Wood and Meadows SSSI and historically was used by the Somerset Coal Authority to service the nearby coalmines.

The brief

In late 2024, Practicality Brown Habitats (PBH) were asked to quote for the removal of the weir that prevents fish passage along the river, however the previous designs lack structural information regarding the crossing point and raised questions over the impact on the adjacent banks to make it viable during the FRAP process.

Practicality Brown working alongside its supply chain provided technical and design support to BART’s Flood Risk Permitting activities and were also then commissioned to undertake the removal of the weir and associated erosion control measures.

Practicality Brown Services

We delivered a range of services to the client with the removal of the weir structure

• Early contractor engagement required PBH to support the changing design with a review of the new designs along with design suggestions and method statement production in support of the Trust’s FRAP application.
• Mobilisation of staff, plant and materials to support the removal of the weir Supply and placement of 20t of 6G and 6C stone
• Removal of banks side vegetation to enable access to both sides of the weir with felled trees and brash used to create revetment along the river channel
• Excavation of closed outlier badger sett under Ecological Clerk of Works
• Excavation of weir structure with masonry and concrete divided with all masonry reused and all concrete recycled off site.
• Creation bank side revetments (both gabion and felled material)
• Excavation of installation of a French drain and associated pipe work
• Bed raising through the section including under the bridge/crossing point to improve fish passage

Challenges

• Tight access for deliveries of both plant and materials as well as tight working conditions within the river itself
• Limited weight limit across the bridge
• Confined spaces working beneath the bridge structure during bed raising

Outcome

By providing early contractor engagement and utilising our extensive knowledge and experience in river restoration, Practicality Brown Habitats were able to support the trust throughout the process from redesign to removal and restoration of this section of the Cam Brook.

With improved fish passage, and early signs of nature returning to the former weir’s location the project has proved to be a very quick and successful restoration of the Cam Brook.