“Cain Bio-Engineering Limited were appointed as principal contractors, and they subsequently and successfully executed a ‘design & build’ solution in the 16 week period.
This was a complex, time sensitive project with multiple stake holders to keep informed and keep happy throughout. When at times, inevitably the project did not run smoothly due to matters outside our control (not least the changeable British weather!), I was extremely grateful and relieved that we had a nationally recognised expert on our team to help us navigate successfully back on track.
Simon Cain and his team (both in their office in Hampshire and also on site) were an absolute pleasure to work with throughout, and I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others (as I have already!) for similar specialist in-river projects”
Duchy of Lancaster’s Agent – Savills
Project Overview
Cain Bio-Engineering completed the design and build of a channel re-alignment and bank stabilisation project on the River Wyre, in order to protect a high pressure gas pipeline. As well as the threat to the high-pressure gas pipeline, the main river channel was threatening to breach its true left hand bank (TLHB), separating it from a fishing lake.
Both these issues had arisen due to lateral migration of a meander sequence over time, linked to disconnection of the main river channel from an adjacent floodplain. The channel was realigned towards an interpreted historic course and a flood relief channel created in order to take high flows and reduce pressure on the outside bend.
Before
Aerial view looking downstream at lateral erosion to the TLHB of the River Wyre 
Aerial view looking downstream at lateral erosion to the TLHB of the River Wyre 
Detailed aerial view of the lateral erosion to the TLHB 
Detailed view of the rapidly retreating true left hand bank 
Upstream view of dredged material placed in floodplain
During
Downstream view during excavation of the new channel 
Reclamation of the TLHB floodplain. The newly connect realigned channel is visible (right of image) 
Upstream view of the TLHB floodplain reclamations 
Installation of a retaining 3 tier coirnet revetment along the TLHB 
Upstream view of reclaimed floodplain with back-filled and covered 3 tier coirnet revetments
After
View of newly reclaimed TLHB floodplain 
Downstream view of a newly installed gravel riffle protecting the gas pipeline 
Upstream view of newly aligned channel & floodplain 
Upstream view of the reclaimed true left hand bank & floodplain 
Aerial view of the newly realigned channel 
Planting of Willow whips to newly reinstated TLHB
Side by side comparison
Before 
After 
Before 
After 
Before 
After 
Before 
After
