This project was an emergency riverbank stabilisation scheme located on the River Derwent, within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
Overview: Emergency Riverbank Stabilisation on the River Derwent
When severe weather caused a large tree to collapse into the River Derwent, it triggered a major embankment failure, damaging boundary walls, steps, and fencing, while posing serious safety and erosion risks.
We were appointed to carry out urgent stabilisation and reconstruction works to protect the area and restore safety along this highly sensitive stretch of river.
Location and Environmental Sensitivity
The project site lies within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, an area recognised for its historic and ecological significance. The River Derwent supports migrating salmon and sea trout, making environmental protection a critical factor throughout the works.
Every stage of construction was designed to minimise ecological disturbance and maintain the river’s natural characteristics.
Challenges: Safety, Access, and Environmental Protection
The embankment failure created several complex challenges:
- Structural instability near public access points.
- Damage to retaining walls, fencing, and concrete steps.
- Risk of sediment entering the protected river ecosystem.
Our team of expert engineers needed to act quickly, ensuring safe site access and immediate stabilisation, without compromising the environment or the historic value of the site.
Our Approach: Ecological and Structural Excellence
To prevent further erosion and protect aquatic life, Shire Consulting implemented a comprehensive pollution mitigation plan. A protective membrane was installed to stop sediment from entering the river during excavation and reconstruction works.
The engineering design combined durability with ecological sensitivity, ensuring a long-term, sustainable solution.
Innovative Design: Composite Sheet Piled Retaining Wall
Instead of using traditional, cement-heavy materials, we selected a composite sheet-piled retaining wall.
This structure:
- Spanned approximately 5 metres along the riverbank.
- Stabilised the embankment and prevented future collapse.
- Restored the area’s original height and appearance.
- Preserved natural river flow and flood characteristics.
This modern approach reduced the carbon footprint and delivered a robust, low-maintenance solution.
Finishing Touches: Aesthetic and Functional Restoration
To maintain the site’s visual harmony and usability:
- A robust angle shelf was installed at the base of the piling.
- Vertical concrete paving slabs provided visual continuity.
- A timber handrail and matching boundary fence ensured safety and consistency.
- The distorted concrete slab at the top of the steps was replaced, restoring safe pedestrian access.
These finishing touches delivered both practical functionality and aesthetically pleasing results.
Outcome: A Sustainable, Safe, and Heritage-Respectful Solution
The River Derwent embankment is now stabilised, secure, and environmentally protected.
Shire’s engineering team successfully balanced urgent remediation needs with the ecological and historical importance of the location.
This project stands as a testament to our expertise in environmentally responsible civil engineering.
Key Project Highlights
This project was an emergency riverbank stabilisation scheme located on the River Derwent, within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The client required urgent stabilisation following a severe embankment failure caused by a fallen tree. The site’s historic and ecological sensitivity presented challenges, including limited access, environmental constraints, and the need for heritage preservation.
Our solution was to design and install a composite sheet-piled retaining wall, which stabilised the riverbank while minimising the use of cementitious materials. The result was a restored and structurally sound embankment that maintained the river’s natural flow, prevented further erosion, and reinstated safe pedestrian access. The outcome not only met immediate safety and stability needs but also ensured long-term ecological protection and visual harmony with the surrounding landscape.
